Japanese Ceramic Ikebana Vase Bizen Ware Nanba Koyo

A tall vintage ceramic vase with handle from Japan (20th century) by Nanba Koyo. Made in the tradition of Bizen ware, the vase has a modern aesthetic with a slender and elegant upright form. Intentional potted rings circumvent much of its irregular surface that undulates with bulges and concaves, indicates that the piece might have been built with coils and shaped into its final artistic form by hand. The dark brown surface of the clay was partially covered with a glaze of ochre color with a tint of gold. The application is limited to the upper portion and applied in a casual aesthetic. The base was marked with a cross. The vase, with its highly sculptural form and muted color, will make an amazing ikebana vase.The storage wood box (tomobako) has inscription on the exterior of the lid but it is no longer legible. The interior bears the ink inscription "Koyo zo" (made by Koyo) on the right, on the left it was marked Family name given by Toyotomi; Oae Gorozaemon, 16th gen. Kosho with a Kosho Seal. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is a Japanese daimyo (1536-1598) and Oae Gorozaemon is a Japanese potter whose initial name was given by the daimyo. Kosho is the descendent of the 16th generation. It appears that he was the collector of this piece. We couldn't find much info on Nanba Koyo, who appears to be a Bizen potter and active in the 20th century.