Wachigai Hanshi Bud Vase

This elegant ichirin-zashi (一輪挿し - single bud vase) is thrown from Asahiyaki’s signature hanshi (燔師) clay, dug from Shirakawa and Oriiyama in and around Uji. Coated in a simple transparent glaze, the warm tones, hue gradients, and spots all come from the clay itself as it is rapidly heated to around 1400°C in Asahiyaki’s wood-fired climbing kiln. The small white spots form as tiny bubbles from within the clay rise to the surface. In many ceramic traditions, this pattern of spots is called gohon/gohonte in reference to the early Korean gohon chawan that first featured them. However, in Uji, this pattern is often called kase (鹿背 - deer back) as the spots are reminiscent of the back of a young deer.

The unique shape of this vase has been called wachigai (輪違い - staggered circles).

Before using it for the first time, it is recommended to soak the piece in water for 10 minutes. This will dislodge any dust from the clay as well as slow down the natural development of patina in the glaze.

This vase was made by the skilled craftsmen at the Asahiyaki studio and wood-fired in their climbing kiln.