Japanese Bronze Vase of Mimikuchi Flying Handle Form

Mimikuchi form vases derive from archaic Chinese pottery vessels with similar but less forceful handles and spirals. Similar vases with flying handles are illustrated by Joe Earle in Flower Bronzes of Japan, 1995, pls. 38, 39,40, 41, 42.

The earliest known references date to the 16th century, where they are depicted in a flower arranging publication by Senkō II, the famous master of Ikebana flower arranging.