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Sugawara Small Black Urn Vase
$89
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Scroll downHandmade in Japan, this ceramic vase is crafted using the traditional Tetsuyu technique, where red clay is shaped by hand and finished with an iron-rich glaze. During firing, the iron in the glaze develops a deep black, almost metallic appearance, with subtle variations in tone and texture giving each piece its own character. Simple yet striking, it makes a beautiful vessel for seasonal flowers or a sculptural piece on its own.
Details
Size: Approx. H10.5cm x W5.7cm (base width)
Glaze details
Tetsuyu - Red clay and the glaze applied to the vessel is generously mixed with iron, giving it a black metallic appearance.
Story
At the foot of Mt. Katsuragi in Nara Prefecture, Japan, master potter Sugawara-san creates each piece by hand using rich red clay. His work is finished with either a soft white glaze, a deep matte black glaze, or his distinctive iron glaze. By mixing iron into the glaze, the surface develops a remarkable metallic quality – giving the pieces a weighty, almost forged appearance while still retaining the warmth of handmade ceramic.
Tara first discovered Sugawara-san at a small local market during one of our trips to Japan a few years ago. Among the busy stalls, his work immediately stood out - the beautiful textures, the quiet strength of the forms, and the way the iron glaze caught the light. Sugawara-san was incredibly kind and delighted to hear that his pieces would be travelling all the way to Sydney. Since then, every time Tara returns to his stall, he greets her with the same big smile and one enthusiastic word: “Australia!”
Origin
Nara, Japan
34.6994° N, 135.8464° E
Nara is the capital of Japan's Nara Prefecture, in south-central Honshu. The city has significant temples and artwork dating to the 8th century, when it was Japan's capital. Deer roam in Nara Park, site of Tōdai-ji temple.