This vase by Kenichi Nakajima, from the Juzan kiln in Kutani, is distinguished by a sumptuous gold and silver decoration on a deep burgundy-brown background. On the main face, a flock of cranes soars in front of a large golden disc evoking the moon. The crane, a bird of longevity and happiness in Japanese culture, symbolizes prosperity and harmony. The slender silhouettes of the birds, punctuated by fine red highlights, stand out against a sky of metallic powders where the gold reflections create an effect of movement and light. The vase, with slightly ovoid walls, bears an enamel signature and is accompanied by its original signed and inscribed tomobako.

Kenichi Nakajima, born in 1948 in Terai (now Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture), is part of the prestigious lineage of Kutani yaki. A student of his adoptive father Nakajima Shuzan (1906-1990), a major figure in Kutani polychromy, he continued the family legacy of the Juzan kiln while developing a contemporary style. Selected in 1968 for the Nitten, he was admitted to the Japan Contemporary Craft Exhibition in 1975 and the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition in 1984, of which he became a regular member. His work, appreciated for its virtuoso use of colored glazes, gold, and silver, combines decorative tradition with a sense of modern composition. Kenichi Nakajima is also a member of the Nihon Kōgeikai, the Arts and Crafts Association of Japan, confirming his status as a recognized master in the field of artistic ceramics.

This vase perfectly illustrates the excellence of the Juzan kiln, where the chromatic richness and precision of the brushwork celebrate the refined aesthetic of Kutani. The brown shades of the earth, enhanced with metallic sparkles, give the piece a depth and warmth that highlight the lightness of the cranes' flight. Height 21 cm, diameter approximately 18 cm.