*SHIPPING OPTIONS VARY DEPENDING ON THE DESTINATION, PLEASE SCROLL TO THE END OF THIS LISTING FOR MORE DETAILS.

This listing is for a vintage vase made around 30 years ago by noted potter, Kojima Keitaro.  It is wheel thrown and made of high-fired stoneware clay.  The front is decorated with black slip markings over rice husk glaze, and there are two small ‘mimi’ handles on the shoulders.  Its shape is influenced by Bizen-ware, and this piece has a quiet and unassuming appearance.  This particular vase is intended for displaying flowers in a tearoom, although dried flowers or one or two large flowers like proteas would also be suitable.  The signature of the potter can be found on the bottom, and it comes with its original signed wooden storage box.  It also comes with a turmeric coloured wrapping coth for when the item is not in use, as well as a Japanese language profile paper about the potter.

Kojima Keitaro (b.1947) is an Okayama based potter and grandson of celebrated painter Kojima Torajiro (1881-1929).  He studied under Fujiwara Keisuke (second son of Living National Treasure Fujiwara Kei) before becoming independent and opening Tenshi Gama in 1981.  Prior to that he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition held in 1977, and his work was selected for the Chugoku Branch Traditional Crafts Exhibition.  In 1982 he held his first solo exhibition at Himeji Sanyo Department Store, and in March 1983 he held a solo exhibition at Okayama Tenmaya Department Store. Since then he has held solo exhibitions at Hiroshima, Mihara, Hara, Fukuyama, and Kurashiki.  In 1984 he held a solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Takashimaya Department Store in Tokyo, since then he has held solo exhibitions in Kyoto, Osaka and Yokohama.  In 1989 he travelled across the United States, the following year he held a private exhibition at Nihonbashi Takashimaya in Tokyo.   He also travelled around Europe following in the footsteps of his grandfather Torajiro.  In 1991 he held the exhibition `Light and Ceramics Exhibition’ to commemorate the 10^th anniversary of the opening of his kiln, and he studied in Northern Europe.

In 1992 he held the ‘Ceramic Lantern Exhibition’ at Yokohama Takashimaya, and embarked on a pottery training trip to South Korea.  In 1993 he exhibited at Takashimaya in Kyoto, and travelled to Southeast Asian countries.  Two years later he held a special exhibition at Nihonbashi Takashimaya in Tokyo and returned to Europe.  In 1996 he travelled around India, and in 1997 he visited parts of Europe for TV interviews.  In 1998 he did extensive travel around Europe, and in 1999 he visited many cities in China.  In the year of 2000 The Nariwa Town Museum of Art held an exhibition of Kojima's ceramic art to commemorate the 5^th anniversary of its opening, and he held solo exhibitions at various department stores.  He also spent time in Belgium and France following in the footsteps of his grandfather, and returned to China to visit ancient pottery sites.  In 2002 his work was exhibited at the Nichido Gallery main store, and he toured Spain.  In 2003 he held the ‘China Wind Exhibition’ in Kurashiki, and the ‘Kojima Keitaro Ceramic Art Exhibition’ was held at Fukuoka Nichido Gallery.  In January 2004 he received the Sanyo Shimbun Award for Cultural Merit, and he received the Soja City Government Cultural Merit Award.  In 2005 the 2^nd ‘Kojima Keitaro Ceramics Exhibition’ was held at Nichido Gallery’s main store.  Currently, he is holding solo exhibitions throughout the country, and is vice president of Kurashiki University of Arts.  He is active promoting and developing local art in and around Kurashiki, and he is a full time member of the East Chugoku Branch of the Japan Crafts Association.  **Fellow sellers, this information was researched by Kominka Zakka and CANNOT be used in your own listings.                          

Sizes

Box:  H.28cm (11”) x 12.5cm (4.9”) x 12.5cm (4.9”)

Vase:  H.22.5cm (8.8”) x 6.3cm (2.4”) diameter opening                                                         

Condition

It’s in very good condition with no chips or cracks.                                                               

THESE ARE SHIPPING ESTIMATES BASED ON THE CURRENT GLOBAL SITUATION                                                                 

**Germany, France, Greece, Spain, Poland, Austria, Slovakia, Lithuania, Slovenia:  NO SHIPPING.  Very strict and expensive packaging laws in place and we are not licensed to send products to these countries.  We have no plan to register at this time because the process is in some cases very expensive and complicated, plus each country has its own set of regulations and application process. 

**USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway: Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-28 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Asia:  Airmail Small Packet (approx. 15-21 days).  Combined shipping available up to 2kgs for Airmail Small Packet (please send us a message).

**Central Asia, Middle East, South Africa, Brazil, Mexico:  EMS Express 10-15 days.

**Russia:  No shipping methods available.