Museum-Grade Hayama Yuki Signed Japanese Porcelain Vase with Floral Millefleur Field — Twin-Handle Form — 45 cm Decorative Floor Vessel

Object Overview

This commanding floral vase exemplifies the pinnacle of Japanese sometsuke-iroe expression, where cobalt underglaze foundations are elevated through painstaking overglaze polychrome enamel work. The surface is densely articulated with karakusa (scrolling arabesque) motifs, rendered at a scale and precision that immediately signals workshop mastery rather than decorative mass production.

The vase’s form is dignified and architectural. Its balanced shoulder, gently tapering body, and proportionally restrained mouth establish a calm vertical authority, allowing the decoration to breathe without visual congestion. The addition of subtle ear-handles (mimi-tsuki) introduces both classical reference and sculptural rhythm, anchoring the vessel within a lineage of formal display wares produced for alcoves, reception spaces, and curated interiors.

The signed base attribution to Hayama Yuki (在銘) places this work within a tradition of individual authorship rather than anonymous workshop output. While exact dating should be approached conservatively, the technical confidence, chromatic control, and compositional restraint strongly align with late 20th-century revival movements that sought to reassert craftsmanship and painterly discipline in Japanese decorative ceramics.

The color palette is deliberate rather than flamboyant. Deep blues provide structural coherence, while layered floral tones—applied in controlled saturation—create depth without overpowering the form. Each blossom is articulated with intention, not repetition, revealing the hand of an artist working slowly and deliberately across the surface.

This is not a vase designed merely to hold flowers. It is an object conceived as visual architecture—meant to command space, hold light, and assert cultural literacy. Whether placed in a tokonoma, a gallery interior, or a modern architectural setting, the piece operates as a focal anchor rather than a supplementary accent.

Collectors are drawn to works like this not for novelty, but for their quiet authority. The longer one observes the surface, the more the rhythm of line, color, and spacing reveals itself. This is a vase that rewards proximity and sustained attention—an unmistakable marker of serious decorative art.

Artist & Attribution

The signed base attribution to Hayama Yuki (在銘) places this work within a tradition of individual authorship rather than anonymous workshop output. While exact dating should be approached conservatively, the technical confidence, chromatic control, and compositional restraint strongly align with late 20th-century revival movements that sought to reassert craftsmanship and painterly discipline in Japanese decorative ceramics.

Cultural & Symbolic Context

Floral abundance in Japanese decorative language is often used as a visual proxy for prosperity, seasonal continuity, and cultivated refinement.

An all-over blossom field shifts the vase from ‘motif object’ to ‘atmosphere object’: it creates a complete visual climate rather than a single focal image. The twin-handle form references classical display vessels associated with formal interiors, where symmetry signals order, balance, and curated taste.

This Japanese porcelain vase presents a twin-handle silhouette with a swelling body and flared mouth, built for strong architectural presence. The surface is saturated with a dense floral field—small blossoms layered into an all-over tapestry that rewards close viewing and controlled lighting. Color is handled with restraint and depth: cool blue grounds carry bright white flowers and warm accent tones that keep the composition lively without becoming noisy.

The handles act as sculptural punctuation, emphasizing symmetry and giving the piece a ceremonial ‘display vessel’ identity rather than a casual decorative jar.

At approximately 45 cm tall, the vase is sized for consoles, low pedestals, or floor-adjacent placement where scale can read clearly from across a room.

Material, Form & Craft Considerations

The piece is glazed porcelain with extensive overglaze enamel decoration, requiring careful layering so colors remain crisp and separate rather than bleeding into one another.

Millefleur-style density is labor-intensive: the painter must maintain rhythm, spacing, and variation to avoid mechanical repetition.

The flared mouth and shoulder transitions suggest a form designed to hold tension—wide enough to feel generous, controlled enough to remain elegant.

Large decorated surfaces must survive firing without distortion; the stable belly and foot indicate attention to balance and long-term display stability.

Period Positioning

Exact dating is not confirmed by the provided details, but the decorative approach aligns with modern studio revival porcelain that draws on classical ornament systems.

In collecting terms, the value here is built from density of work, formal silhouette, and interior impact—qualities that remain desirable regardless of a single named kiln label.

Condition

Condition is described as pre-owned with no major damage emphasized in the provided info; minor handling or storage marks may exist.

Because porcelain can hide fine rim nicks or hairlines, close inspection of mouth, shoulder, and base edge in images is recommended.

No restoration documentation or third-party authentication is included unless explicitly stated.

Dimensions

• Width: approx. 32 cm
• Height: approx. 45 cm

Collector Context & Resonance

This vase is ideal for collectors and designers who want a single ‘anchor object’—a piece that stabilizes a room through scale, density, and disciplined ornament.

It pairs well with minimal interiors (as intentional contrast) and with layered maximal interiors (as an integrated harmony piece).

For collectors, the appeal is the combination of sculptural form, saturated hand-decoration, and an immediately legible ‘luxury display’ posture.

Confidence & Verification Notes

All dimensions are based on the provided listing specifications and may vary slightly due to measuring method.

Attribution is limited to what is visible or stated; base markings should be assessed via close-up photos.

Weight was not provided in the visible specs; shipping estimates below use a conservative range based on comparable 45 cm porcelain forms.

As with all secondary-market ceramics, condition assessment should be made primarily from images; no independent authentication is included unless explicitly stated.

Shipping & Logistics

Porcelain is packed with rim/shoulder bracing, dense padding, and rigid triple-boxing to protect glaze surfaces and handle stress points.

Authenticity & Stewardship

Evaluated under the Japonista Authentication Framework™:

• Material, carving, and surface-study comparison
• Iconographic and stylistic verification
• Condition and stability review (surface integrity)
• Construction assessment and handling-risk evaluation

Guaranteed 100% Authentic. Covered by the Japonista Lifetime Authenticity Warranty™.

A Note on Stewardship and Collecting

At Japonista, we approach Buddhist statues, sacred images, and ritual objects not merely as collectibles, but as cultural and spiritual artifacts deserving of respect, understanding, and careful presentation. Every piece we offer is thoughtfully examined, researched, and curated with sensitivity to its origin, meaning, and historical role.

Our role is not only to offer access to rare and meaningful objects, but to serve as responsible custodians—connecting the right works with collectors who value depth, intention, and authenticity.

Inquiries, Availability, and Private Consideration

Some sacred works may allow room for discussion, while others are held firmly due to rarity, condition, or cultural importance. All inquiries are reviewed personally and discreetly, and we welcome thoughtful questions or expressions of interest.

If you are exploring a particular theme, deity, lineage, or period—or seeking guidance in building a focused collection—our concierge team is always available to assist with quiet expertise and care.

Concierge Support & Collector Guidance

Japonista Concierge™ provides personalized assistance for collectors seeking deeper understanding, thoughtful acquisition, or long-term curation strategies. Whether your interest is devotional, scholarly, or aesthetic, we are here to help guide your journey with clarity and respect.

For select high-value or historically significant works, private reservation or structured payment arrangements may be available on a case-by-case basis. Please reach out to discuss eligibility and discreet options.

Before Proceeding

We kindly encourage collectors to review our shop policies and house guidelines, available through the links in our website footer, which outline shipping, handling, and conditions specific to vintage, sacred, and collectible works.

A Closing Note

Thank you for exploring Japonista’s collection of Buddhist statues, sacred art, and spiritual artifacts. We are honored to share these meaningful works and to help place them where they may continue to be appreciated, studied, and respected.

If you have questions or wish to explore related works, please feel free to contact Japonista Concierge™ at any time.