In Osaka, Japan, an encounter happened between my photographer friend, Mikio Matsuo, and a remarkable artisan (I’ll call him Art). Art was renowned for crafting vases exclusively for a prestigious flower-arranging school. Mikio had the privilege of visiting Art's studio on an assignment for a flower arrangement-themed magazine.

Upon entering the studio, Mikio's eyes fell upon many vases, mostly commissioned by the school. They were functional and practical [how’s this? Should we add beautiful, too?] yet lacked a certain allure, bordering on the mundane.
Tasked with capturing images of these vessels, Mikio approached the job professionally. However, after closely observing the vases through his camera, he judged Art's technique to be excellent. It became evident to Mikio that something more profound was at play, transcending mere manual dexterity.

After the photo shoot, Mikio and Art engaged in conversation, and it was during this exchange that Mikio's gaze drew him to a breathtaking round bronze vase discreetly nestled beneath Art's work table.
Intrigued, Mikio reached for the vase, prompting a shy disclosure from Art. This exquisite creation was, in fact, Art's endeavor, unconnected to the school.

The vase's beauty and serenity captivated Mikio, prompting him to capture its essence in a photograph. When he shared the image with me, I was overwhelmed by the vase’s allure and immediately acquired it.
With a single stipulation, Art allowed me to possess this treasure. He made me promise never to disclose his name, for his work was exclusively bound to the school.

There lies the captivating tale behind this remarkable vessel.