Vintage Japanese Shino-yaki Ram by Hoshiai, Shinrei

Dimensions: 3-1/2”h x 5-1/2”l x 2-3/4”w

This beautifully crafted ceramic male sheep, (Ram) has a fleshy grayish-white textured glaze, exposing the red clay beneath. This skillfully molded and carved figure depicts a ram with pronounced long curved horns, (considered weapons of defense and a status symbol), floppy ears, sleepy eyes, a cute nose and mouth, and masterfully covered in a deep textured glaze to imitate a ram’s long, uncut fur with implied hooves. This Shino glaze is known for its crawling effect, where the glaze pulls away from the clay. This glaze embodies the Japanese philosophy of “wabi-sabi”, which finds beauty in imperfection aid impermanence. The piece was most likely made as a “zodiac” figure emphasizing Adaptability. The piece has the artist's impressed seal to the bottom Shinrei saku, (made by Shinrei), and is from the Dainichi gama kiln. It has its original signed and double-impressed stamped Kiriwood box.

Additional Information: Two theories persist, one being that it is a discombobulation of the work “Shiro” which means “white or “whiteness” and named after a monk, Shino Shoshin (1444-1523) who was fond and supposed founder of the glaze. More specifically in the mind region of Japanese and to this day, you may hear the term “Mino Shino” referring to whiter shino variations.

Condition: Pristine condition with no casting flaws, kiln grit, or wear.