crane-neck vase origin: kutani, japan | era: mid-shōwa period (c. 1950s) | material: navy-glazed ceramic with gold detailing
tall and slender like its namesake, tsuru carries the grace of the crane — a symbol of longevity and quiet dignity in japanese tradition. its deep navy body forms a fluid silhouette, tapering into a narrow neck, while a handpainted pair of cranes stand poised along the belly, their plumage outlined in delicate gold.
we found tsuru tucked in the corner of an old ryokan storeroom in ishikawa, untouched yet glowing softly in the light. it's a piece that doesn't speak loudly — it waits — and when the moment is right, it becomes the still center of any room it inhabits.
