{"product_id":"shigaraki-meiyo-egg-vase","title":"Shigaraki Hechimon Meiyō Egg Vase | Handmade Wabi-Sabi Stoneware","description":"\u003cp\u003eA quietly singular vase: the speckled tan body of Shigaraki ware, the green ash-glaze hood across the top, hand-incised flower stems carved into the side, and small gold-leaf-painted flower clusters where the stems bloom. Made in Shiga Prefecture by Marui Seitō for their \"Hechimon\" (へちもん) line — Shigaraki dialect for \"ふうがわり\" (fūgawari — \"unusual \/ distinctive \/ one-of-a-kind\").\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat \"Hechimon\" means\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e「へちもん」 is an old Shigaraki dialect word meaning \"ふうがわり\" — unusual, distinctive, the one with individual character. Marui Seitō uses it as the brand name for their hand-thrown one-of-a-kind Shigaraki vessels. Each piece is fired with intentional variation — different glaze pooling, different speckle pattern, different curve — so no two are exactly alike. The included Hechimon brand card explains: \u003cem\u003e\"Within the variety of shapes, you can discover various characteristics unique to Shigaraki ware.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe 10 visible details on this vase\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatsume (jujube\/egg) form — rounded teardrop silhouette\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGreen ash-glaze (灰釉) upper third with subtle crackle pattern\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNatural Shigaraki clay body (sandy tan-orange) on the lower two-thirds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhite quartz\/feldspar speckle inclusions across the unglazed surface — Shigaraki's signature 白い長石粒\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-incised flower stem (curved carving line)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHand-incised leaf shapes along the stem\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGold-painted (kinsai 金彩) flower clusters at stem terminals\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWheel-thrown spiral ridges visible on the upper portion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGold \"へちもん 信楽 MARUI\" supplier authentication sticker\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHechimon brand authentication paper card included in the box\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eUse cases\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSingle-stem ikebana — cherry blossom, plum (ume), pampas grass (susuki)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDried floral arrangement — lasts longer in unglazed stoneware than in slick porcelain\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTea-ceremony alcove (tokonoma) display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJapandi shelf styling — works as a sculptural object even without flowers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWabi-sabi-aesthetic bedroom or living-room corner\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is the body unglazed and rough?\u003c\/strong\u003e That's the defining characteristic of Shigaraki — the local feldspar-rich clay is meant to show through, with the white speckles intrinsic to the material. The unglazed body is intentional, not unfinished.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs each vase identical?\u003c\/strong\u003e No — and that's the point of the Hechimon brand. Each is one-of-a-kind in glaze pooling, speckle pattern, and curve. Slight differences are the brand's signature, not flaws.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCan I put fresh flowers with water in it?\u003c\/strong\u003e The Shigaraki body is porous. For fresh flowers, use a small glass insert (a test-bottle or flower-foam cup) inside the vase. For dried flowers, no insert needed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWipe the exterior with a soft, dry cloth. Avoid prolonged moisture on the gold-leaf accents.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat's \"Meiyō\"?\u003c\/strong\u003e 明陽 (Meiyō) means \"Bright Sun\" — the sub-series within the Hechimon line that this vase belongs to. The Natsume (jujube\/egg) form is one of several silhouettes Marui produces in the Meiyō series.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ZenKiln","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47556849238246,"sku":null,"price":53.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0779\/5392\/5350\/files\/DSC8569.webp?v=1776730259","url":"https:\/\/zen-kiln.com\/en-gb\/products\/shigaraki-meiyo-egg-vase","provider":"ZenKiln","version":"1.0","type":"link"}