The washes of rice straw ash glaze create subtle soft layers of greys and blues on this lovely vase from the Makuzu family. The glaze was originally developed to try and replicate celadon ware imported from China, but the shape was created by Ninsei Nonomura who was a founder of the Kyoyaki style. The vase is porcelain with a warabai rice straw ash glaze, and the smooth transition from the circular bottom to the octagonal mouth is a tribute to Makuzu Kosai's skill.