Laughing-Mouth Bamboo Flower Vase IV

A bamboo flower vase made from bamboo felled in a local grove near the ruins of Oka Castle, then aged for a year under the eaves to develop weathered patterning on its skin. The upper joint is opened into the shape of a laughing mouth, and the skin is partially shaved away at the sides, likening the exposed flow of fiber to a waterfall of laughter overflowing. The shaved area evokes water and is lightly coated in blue lacquer; the whole is finished in vermilion-tinted rock lacquer so that everything comes together in harmony. IV is madake bamboo; V is moso bamboo.

Weight: 664 g