Iga Yaki Vase no 2

Fired in Iga, central Japan of natural local clay. 5" diameter x 9" tall Iga ware water vases with characteristic "ear" lugs appeared in the late 16th century. The ear lugs added prestige to a vessel and thus became the popular norm for flower vases, water vessels and, later, tea utensil jars.  Old Iga ware, which is known as Ko-Iga, generally reflects wabi-sabi aesthetics with a rustic appearance and purposefully deformed shapes and intentional gouges and dents.