Featured Ikebana Vase: The Art of the Japanese Vase
In the Japanese art of ikebana, the vase is as vital as the flowers themselves. It is a partner in creating harmony, space, and beauty. At Millennium Gallery Japan, our curated collection brings this philosophy to your home. Discover authentic vases born from centuries of Japanese craftsmanship—from warm Hida cedar to delicate Shizuoka bamboo—and introduce a sense of serenity and sophisticated simplicity to your space. Find your perfect Japanese vase today."
Table of contents
Japanese Cedar Vase for Ikebana
For over 1,200 years, the woodworkers of Hida, known as Hida no Takumi, have been celebrated for their masterful craftsmanship. This legacy is carried on by artisans like Hideo Shiotani, who creates our featured Japanese Cedar Vases. He works with a profound respect for nature, crafting minimalist yet powerful pieces that maximize the innate beauty and warmth of cedar wood grown in the abundant nature of the Hida region. This Japanese Cedar Vase features a refined cylindrical shape that blends naturally into any interior.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities
Made from Japanese cedar sourced from Hida. Each vase showcases a unique, beautiful wood grain—a piece of art created by nature itself. The smooth, polished finish offers a tactile warmth with every touch.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal
This piece champions minimalist design. It is available in two finishes: "Natural," which celebrates the raw beauty of the cedar, and "Indigo," which adds a deep, sophisticated tone to your space.
What's Included
The vase includes a removable inner cylinder for water, making it easy to arrange flowers and maintain.
Suitable Scenes
Its versatile design is perfect for a living room shelf, entryway console, or office desk. Displaying a single flower or branch is enough to bring a quiet, refined elegance to your surroundings.
Feel and Usability
With a height of 9.1" (23.0cm) and a diameter of 3.5" (9.0cm), this Japanese vase is perfectly sized to integrate Japanese aesthetics into your daily life without overwhelming the space.
Traditional Techniques and Origin:
Handcrafted in the Hida region of Gifu Prefecture using "Hida Woodworking" techniques, a designated Japanese Traditional Craft with roots stretching back to the 8th century. Shiotani's expertise unlocks the full potential of the cedar.
Japanese Bamboo Vase made for Ikebana
With an 800-year history, Shizuoka Bamboo Craft (Suruga Take Sensuji Zaiku) is a world-renowned Japanese art form. It involves splitting bamboo into strips as fine as 1mm to weave delicate curves and intricate patterns. It is said to take 5 to 10 years to become a master, and today, only 12 artisans uphold this tradition. Millennium Gallery is proud to present a collection of artistic ikebana vases born from this rare and treasured craft.
Each of these bamboo vases has its own unique story and character. Here are a few distinctive examples from our collection.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Rising Clouds”
This stunning ikebana vase captivates with its dynamic and graceful form, reminiscent of clouds ascending into the sky.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Crafted from native Japanese bamboo. Strips processed to a mere 0.6 mm thickness are intricately layered, creating a beautiful interplay of light and shadow.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
Standing at 12.8" (32.5cm) tall, its commanding presence and multi-layered construction give it a sculptural, three-dimensional quality that elevates any space.
Suitable Scenes:
It serves as a breathtaking centerpiece in a living room or adds a touch of prestige to a hotel lobby or executive office.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Fleeting Moment”
Created by Emi Kamiya, the youngest and only female artisan among the 12 masters. This vase expresses a delicate and ephemeral beauty that reflects her unique sensibility.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Ultra-fine bamboo strips are woven into gentle, soft curves. The subtle light purple hue adds an elegant, understated accent.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
Its form is ethereal and graceful, like a passing cloud or a momentary shimmer of light. It brings a poetic atmosphere to a minimalist interior.
Suitable Scenes:
Ideal for a bedroom or study where quiet contemplation takes place. Its gentle presence adds a calm and thoughtful mood to the room.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Rising Dragon”
A powerful piece by Traditional Craftsman Shunichi Omura, evoking the image of a dragon ascending to the heavens.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Bamboo dyed in a stunning gradient of black and brown creates remarkable depth and dimension. It is a testament to masterful bending and joining techniques.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
This 11" (27.9cm) tall vase reinterprets a traditional motif with a contemporary feel, introducing dynamic movement into a static space.
Suitable Scenes:
Perfect for integrating the beauty of Japanese tradition into a modern interior. Its strong presence acts as an anchor for the entire room.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Cocoon”
This organic ikebana vase offers a sense of peace with its cocoon-like form, symbolizing the beginning of life.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Thin bamboo strips are meticulously woven to create a soft, enveloping shape. The natural color of the bamboo adds to its charm.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
At 10.6" (27cm) tall, this vase embodies the wabi-sabi aesthetic—finding serene beauty in imperfection. It has a calming effect on the viewer.
Suitable Scenes:
A perfect fit for Japandi-style living rooms or tranquil spaces for meditation. The warmth of the natural material fosters a sense of comfort and relaxation.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Flowing Water”
This vase embodies the essence of wabi-sabi with a distinctly modern and Japanese design that represents the movement of water.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
A dark-toned bamboo base is interwoven with lighter, brighter bamboo strips, creating a stunning visual contrast that mimics flowing water.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
Standing 11.6" (29.5cm) tall, its cylindrical form and flowing motif create a striking accent, especially against contemporary dark tones, infusing the space with gentle elegance.
Suitable Scenes:
The sophisticated contrast makes it an excellent choice for a study, entryway, or living room where it can serve as a calming yet artistic focal point.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Fukuju”
Named for fortune and longevity, the "Fukuju" vase is defined by its dignified stability and graceful, well-balanced form.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Meticulously woven from delicate bamboo strips and finished in a refined brown hue that beautifully highlights floral arrangements.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
With its generous proportions at 12.6" (32cm) tall and 7.3" (18.5cm) wide, this vase has a grounded, serene presence that imparts a sense of tranquility.
Suitable Scenes:
Its stable design makes it ideal for larger bouquets in a living room, bedroom, or study, creating an atmosphere of stillness and relaxation.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Entwined Branch”
A slim and elegant vessel that showcases a refreshing geometric beauty, inspired by the intertwining branches of a tree.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Crafted from fine bamboo strips that showcase the refreshing, natural colors of the material, woven into an intricate pattern.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
Standing at a slender 8.2" (21cm) tall, its slim, cylindrical shape and geometric design embody Japanese minimalism, making it perfect for ikebana arrangements.
Suitable Scenes:
Its compact form is perfectly suited for an entryway, a quiet corner of a bedroom, or a study, enhancing the space without overwhelming it.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Shiori”
The "Shiori" vase is a study in minimalist elegance, featuring a simple, pure form composed of fine bamboo threads.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Handcrafted using bamboo in its natural hue, its beauty lies in its simplicity and the masterful weaving of its delicate strips.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
This refined vessel, measuring 7.8" (20cm) tall, has a gentle, unassuming charm that blends seamlessly into any room while enhancing the beauty of floral displays.
Suitable Scenes:
Its minimalist, traditional design feels at home in any living room, bedroom, or entryway, imparting a sense of quietude and wabi-sabi grace.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Kanon”
Named after the Buddhist goddess of mercy, the "Kanon" vase features an intricate, minimalist pattern that imparts a serene elegance.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Meticulously crafted from finely woven bamboo strips and finished in a calming brown, its pattern is both complex and understated.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
This 8.6" (22cm) tall vase has a refined presence that embodies Japanese wabi-sabi. Its intricate pattern creates an atmosphere of stillness and relaxation.
Suitable Scenes:
An excellent piece for a bedroom, entryway, or living room, where its detailed craftsmanship can be appreciated up close, fostering a tranquil mood.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Kisaragi”
The "Kisaragi" vase makes a statement with its wide, striking design and richly textured surface, bringing a calm yet powerful ambiance to any space.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
Crafted from dark-brown bamboo strips, its rich texture and sophisticated hue highlight floral displays beautifully.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
Its distinctive wide shape, at 7.1" (18cm) tall and 9.1" (23cm) in diameter, provides a strong, grounded presence and an air of traditional grace.
Suitable Scenes:
Ideal as a centerpiece in a living room, study, or hallway, where its striking form can anchor the space and create a tranquil atmosphere.
Japanese Bamboo Flower Vase “Flowing Wind”
A truly unique piece, the "Flowing Wind" vase features a circular frame that beautifully represents the gentle movement of air.
Material and its Intrinsic Qualities:
A beautifully curved circular frame, achieved with advanced bamboo bending techniques, is adorned with vibrant bamboo strips to create a sense of motion.
Design and Aesthetic Appeal:
Measuring 5.7" (14.5cm) in height and width, its unconventional, artistic shape imparts a sense of calm elegance and embodies Japanese wabi-sabi.
Suitable Scenes:
Its sculptural quality makes it a perfect accent for a living room, bedroom, or study, where it can be admired as a unique piece of Japandi-style art.
How to Choose Your Perfect Ikebana Vase
With so many beautiful options, here are a few tips to help you find the perfect Japanese vase or ikebana vase for your home.
- Consider Your Interior Style: Is your room minimalist, Japandi, or modern? The cylindrical cedar vase complements minimalist and Japandi styles perfectly, while an intricate bamboo vase can serve as a stunning accent in a contemporary setting.
- Imagine the Flora: For a simple, single-stem display (ichirin-zashi), a slender vase like "Shiori" or "Entwined Branch" is ideal. If you plan to arrange multiple branches or voluminous flowers, a stable design like "Kisaragi" or "Fukuju" provides better support.
- Select by Form and Design: If you want the vase to be a statement piece, a sculptural design like "Rising Dragon" or "Rising Clouds" will enrich your space. For quiet harmony, an organic and calming form like "Cocoon" or "Kanon" is perfect.
- Connect with the Artisan's Story: Each vase is imbued with the skill and passion of its creator from Hida or Shizuoka. Choosing a piece of traditional craft is also a way of supporting and preserving this precious culture for the future.
Summary
- A Japanese vase is more than a tool for holding flowers; it is an art object that embodies the philosophy of ikebana and brings tranquility and beauty into a space.
Millennium Gallery presents two great Japanese traditions: cedar vases from 1200-year-old "Hida Woodworking" and bamboo vases from the 800-year-old "Shizuoka Bamboo Craft."
The cedar vases are characterized by their natural warmth and minimalist design, bringing a sense of calm harmony to any room.
The bamboo vases are celebrated for their delicate yet dynamic designs, each a masterpiece of craftsmanship that can serve as a room's focal point.
By considering your style, material preference, intended use, and design, you can find the perfect ikebana vase to express your aesthetic.
Why not welcome a piece of Japanese craftsmanship into your daily life? It will not only adorn your home but also become a small window into a world of tranquility, mindfulness, and the enduring beauty of the Japanese aesthetic. Even when empty, the vase will continue to grace your space as a quiet object, imbuing it with profound character and story.
The Millennium Gallery Japan collection is built on a deep respect for this timeless beauty and the dedication of the artisans who create it. We invite you to explore our full range of curated Japanese vases and ikebana vases to find the piece that speaks to you. May a vase steeped in Japanese tradition make your life richer, calmer, and more beautiful.
