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I found this beautiful vase at an estate sale. I've spent a lot of time on the web trying to figure out exactly what I have as far as style and forum. I've had someone confirm my thought that it was an Oribe Vase, but I didn't know about the Seto.

I am new to Japanese pottery, and am taking a crash course with this, so please understand my ignorance if I use terms incorrectly.

I am including pictures, and can attach more if needed.

The outside has a beautiful green drip glaze, with rich copper colored reds bled out from the edges of the green. The rest of it is unglazed on the outside.

The inside is a clear glaze.

The marking on the bottom is a stylized version of the character I am also posting with this. I am told by someone that I work with that can read Japanese that the marking is pronounced Tan (the A sounds like aaahhh)

I am unsure how old this piece is, but I know the person that had it was in Japan somewhere around 1972 or so, so I figure it is at least the early 70's if not earlier.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Having art without knowing the story behind it isn't near as fun, but then again, finding the information is a great way to learn.

I forgot to mention the size of this vase.

It's 11" tall, and the mouth is 4 3/4" across. Bigger than I would expect for a Sake bottle so that's why I really believe this to be a vase, and not some sort of stylized interpretation of a Sake bottle.

Would anyone know of anyone that I may be able to contact that may be able to help ID this pottery?

The only expert I've found that may be able to help is in Japan, and I really don't relish the idea of sending it to him.

The couple people I have had look at it who know pottery say it's a lot older than I was thinking so I would like to find more information without shipping it to Japan.

Thanks

You not say where you located.

If in USA try Louise Allison Cort, Curator for Ceramics, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C.

She has much study Seto-Mino ceramics.

Good luck,
Cal

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