Hikoshiro Nishio – Shigaraki Ceramic Mizusashi with Olive-Green Glaze - Ceramic - Hikoshiro Nishio - Japan - Shōwa period (1926-1989)

Hikoshiro Nishio's Shigaraki ceramic mizusashi represents a fine example of traditional Japanese pottery from the Shōwa period (1926-1989). Mizusashi are ceramic water jars used in the Japanese tea ceremony to hold fresh water for tea preparation. Shigaraki ware is one of the Six Ancient Kilns of Japan, famed for its rustic, earthy appearance and warm olive-green glaze that beautifully enhances the natural clay texture. The Shigaraki region's abundant natural resources, including high-quality clay and wood for firing, contributed to its distinctive style, combining tactile roughness with elegant glazing. Collectors value pieces from this era for their cultural significance and artisanal craftsmanship, reflective of Japan's deep tea ceremony tradition and aesthetic principles such as wabi-sabi, which appreciates imperfection and subtle beauty.