This is a vase from the Banko ware tradition, adorned with numerous crane motifs. It comes in a special wooden box.
Banko ware, originating in what is now Mie Prefecture during the mid-Edo period, was named after its founder, Nunami Rouzan, who hoped his work would endure forever. He stamped his pieces with the mark "Banko Fueki," meaning "eternally unchanging," to symbolize this wish. This ware has the characteristics of semi-porcelain, bridging the gap between ceramic and porcelain.
Created by the third-generation artist, Shimizu Suigetsu, who has been selected for the Nitten exhibition and has presented several pieces to the Imperial Family, including during the enthronement ceremony of the previous Emperor. Additionally, his work was featured in the toasts at the 2016 Ise-Shima G7 Summit dinner.
