TANI-SAN III

Illustrated is a classic, medieval style uzukumaru vase by Tani Seiuemon. Though not very large in scale, it has something that gives it a larger than life appearance. The form is simple and the ash has nestled and run gracefully off the shoulder creating its own unique landscape while the carefully crafted mouth of the pot offers an invitation for use, a labor of love. I have long been a fan of the work of Tani-san and have seen hundreds of his pots over the years, most are striped of the superfluous and each piece seems to be created in a bare-bones style in which he relies on the kiln to finish dressing each pot. There is something elemental and comforting about the workman style pots of the countless potters who make pots simply to be used and enjoyed without ego or accolades and this is also what made many of the great pots of the Momoyama era.

"A man's best friend are his ten fingers."  Robert Collyer (1823-1912)