12cmx5cm
 
Colours shift across this vase's surface like atmosphere itself made tangible—soft pinks dissolving into powder blues, ochre earth tones melting into seafoam greens—Okuda Akane's yōhen (kiln-change) glazing captures the ephemeral colour transitions that occur during twilight hours, those fleeting moments when day surrenders to night. This single-stem vase exemplifies contemporary Kasama pottery's experimental spirit, where young ceramicists honour regional traditions whilst forging distinctly personal aesthetic languages.
Okuda belongs to a new generation of Japanese women ceramicists claiming space in workshops historically dominated by male potters. Her approach combines technical rigour inherited from Kasama's folk-craft lineage with colour sensibilities that feel thoroughly contemporary—those pastel gradations reference neither historic Japanese pottery nor Chinese porcelain precedents but instead suggest watercolour painting, textile dyeing, even digital gradients translated into ceramic form. The lattice-carved pattern adorning the vase's shoulder adds textural complexity beneath flowing glazes, creating depth that rewards close inspection whilst maintaining overall compositional harmony.
The vase emerged from Okuda's wood-fired kiln, where flames and ash interact unpredictably with glaze chemistry to produce effects impossible through electric firing. Notice the subtle variations in colour intensity—slightly darker tones where flames concentrated, lighter passages where ash settled—each surface irregularity documenting the firing's unique atmospheric conditions. This embrace of controlled accident aligns with Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetics, that philosophical appreciation for impermanence and imperfection as sources of beauty rather than flaws requiring correction.
For contemporary European interiors, this vase offers remarkable versatility that younger collectors particularly appreciate. The pastel palette harmonises perfectly with current Scandinavian design trends favouring soft, muted tones over bold primary colours. The compact proportions suit smaller urban apartments where space constraints demand objects functioning as both art and utility. London and Copenhagen stylists have begun featuring similar pieces in editorial shoots—photographed against millennial-pink walls or positioned on pale oak shelving, creating compositions that feel simultaneously vintage and utterly contemporary.
The lattice-carved decoration provides unexpected texture, transforming what might otherwise read as purely decorative into something tactilely engaging. This detail matters for collectors who interact physically with their ceramics rather than relegating them to display-only status—the carved patterns invite touch, creating intimate relationships between object and user that museum-case presentation precludes.
Condition inspection reveals pristine preservation suggesting recent creation and careful handling. The vase exhibits no chips, cracks, or structural compromises. The multi-toned glazes retain their original satin finish, unmarred by handling oils or environmental exposure. The rim remains perfectly circular without warping—testament to throwing skill and firing control. The carved lattice patterns show crisp definition, their edges sharp rather than softened by wear.