Shino ware vase

This vase is 6" high x 3" widest diameter, unsigned and weighs 1 lb 1.1 ounces. It holds almost exactly 12 fluid ounces. The finish is Shino ware over stoneware. It was offered to me as either a tokkuri or vase. I tested it out as a tokkuri and it did not fare well, the initial pour is very uneven, though it eventually becomes fairly smooth, but still problematic for pouring sake without splashing the immediate environment. The interior is, however, glazed.

The seller had a lot of Japanese tea ware, tea ceremony paraphernalia, and a small amount of sake stuff, all very nice. Everything besides this piece was legitimately Japanese. There is a slight indentation on the sides of the pot which suggest an attempt to control its output but I am skeptical that it is seriously intended to be used as a sake flask, though I am going to continue to experiment with it. I suffer for art! I did ask the seller how it was determined that it was made in Japan, but the seller had a large volume of Japanese products, so it probably was. They did respond to say that they were unsure of its origin.

I was attracted to it due to the interesting finish. I am not sure how the "cuts" in the finish were made. It was not immediately apparent to me that the finish was Shino but close examination showed that it is. As I mentioned to the seller, however, some of my best Shino is made by American potters. Very inexpensive, so a worthy research experience.