The undulating, oval shaped rim—a new design for this year—of this large and rotund vase is decorated with bold black slip. The round form is accentuated with lines carved down the body which meet a delicate foot also in black. The shinogi—a traditional Japanese decorative technique—are carved carefully by hand into the surface of the piece. After bisque firing Akio applies colored slips and then glazes the pieces with translucent matte glaze. Beautiful to see and incredible to hold.