Anagama No. 2 – Large Heishi Vase (OUT OF STOCK)

Description

I am Anagama No.2 Large Heishi Vase. I carry centuries of tradition in my form, but let’s be honest—I’m here to make a statement. With textures shaped by time and fire, I’m the kind of piece that stops you in your tracks. Every angle tells a new story, and I’ve got plenty to share.

Curator’s Notes

The Heishi vase has deep roots in Japanese tradition, historically used in ceremonies and offerings to symbolize balance and harmony. This particular Heishi vase, created through the anagama kiln, brings a contemporary twist to that ancient form. Its multicolored surface is adorned with striking orange and amber tones, created by shell imprints left behind during firing. As Iwata-san explained, carefully placed seashells protected the surface, while their chemistry left behind these vivid, natural markings—almost as if the kiln itself decided the colors. Standing as the true masterpiece of the collection, this vase commands attention with its sculptural quality and rich texture. With barnacle-like details and uneven surfaces, it feels as though it has been excavated from the depths of the earth or recovered from a shipwreck. Every angle reveals something new, showcasing the kiln’s unpredictable beauty. The Heishi shape carries history, but the textures, colors, and marks of the flame bring this piece to life, bridging the ancient and the contemporary in Iwata-san’s most extraordinary work.

Anagama No. 2 Large Heishi Vase was curated by Angélique Chmielewski

Designer/Maker

Artist: Keisuke Iwata

Specifications

Dimensions:

8.5″ (w) x 8.5″ (l) x 8.8″ (h) or 216mm (w) x 216mm (l) x 224mm (h)

Weight:

6.1 lbs or 2.8 kg

Materials:

Ceramic

Details

• One-of-a-kind functional sculpture vase handmade by Keisuke Iwata in Fukuoka, Japan
• Flowers and water can be contained through a small opening carved out in the piece
• Created using an ancient Japanese ceramic technique that involves an Anagama woodfired kiln, fired in a ceremonial process by Keisuke Iwata
• Anagama works are each unique to the clay’s own intimate interactions with the flames and ash
• Watertight material
• If necessary, handwash with a mild soap and soft cloth
• Features unique markings, seashell imprints, golden flecks and irregular surface texture
• Keisuke Iwata’s signature carved on the bottom of the piece