Glazed raku ceramic vase decorated with sakura, vintage 1980s-1990s.

Charming glazed ceramic vase, Raku type, of Japanese style or manufacture, vintage from the 1980s-1990s. Handcrafted or semi-handcrafted, possibly from a small independent workshop. Decorated with cherry blossom branches, Japanese sakura, in reserve on a light red crackled overlay, with numerous firing irregularities in a beautiful Wabi-Sabi spirit. Cannot hold water. 21cm high and approximately 16cm in diameter. Overall in good condition. There are two small chips in the glaze on the neck revealing the terracotta, a discreet glaze chip on the body, and a slight crack of about 6cm at the foot, old and not appearing to weaken the piece, possibly original (from firing). The numerous firing irregularities are original and contribute to the charm of the whole. Approximately 1.8kg.