Hayashi Shotaro, Flying cranes circa 1990

A connection to nature is ever-present in the work of Hayashi, who was born in 1947 in Toki, a city famous for its ceramic tradition. Although Hayashi initially pursued a career in business as a salaryman in Nagoya, he soon returned to ceramics, his true calling, in 1967, where he studied under his older brother, Kotaro. He quickly proved his exceptional talent by winning the Governor’s Prize at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition in 1971. In 1974, he established his own kiln in Toki and began to forge his own path in the world of ceramics, quickly establishing himself as a renowned artist. He has won several awards, including the Excellence Award at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition in 1972 and 1973. His works are now exhibited in many museums and private collections, both in Japan and internationally, and he is recognized as a pioneer of the Mino ceramics revival.
Hayashi Shotaro, passionate about the history of Japanese ceramics, studied traditional techniques with great rigor, integrating them into his own style. His understanding of ancient glazes and his ability to modernize them while retaining their essence make him a respected master ceramicist.

In 1994, Hayashi was awarded the prestigious Mino Ceramic Art Grand Prize, a recognition of his mastery of ancestral techniques and his contribution to the evolution of this art. In 1997, he was also honored with the Shoroku Prize, an honor given to artists who have enriched the artistic culture of Gifu Prefecture. This vase is a perfect demonstration of the balance Hayashi manages to create between tradition and modernity in his works.

Of a very imposing size, it is a spectacular piece decorated with a motif of flying cranes.
Cranes are symbols of longevity, happiness and good luck in Japanese culture, and their representation on this vase makes it a highly symbolic object.
Hayashi Shotaro depicted these cranes with great simplification, drawing only the silhouette and using a brown and white glaze that highlights the shapes and flowing lines of the birds in flight. The motif is both delicate and dynamic, capturing the movement of the cranes as they soar into the sky.
This vase is a striking example of how he manages to fuse deeply rooted cultural motifs with a contemporary approach to form and texture. In 2002, Hayashi was designated an Important Cultural Property of the city of Toki, a recognition that recognizes his crucial role in the preservation and transmission of Japanese ceramic art. In 2012, he also received the same distinction at the Gifu Prefecture level, one of the highest honors bestowed upon an artist.
Signed, Original signed box