Wednesday, April 18, 2018

GUESS WHO?

I stumbled upon this photo on the internet which did not have any indication as to the maker but based on some previous experience, I had my suspicions. Doing a bit of searching on the web, I came across the actual source of the illustration and my original thoughts were confirmed, this is a simple Shino kogo by Oni-Shino specialist, Tsukigata Nahiko, several of which I have illustrated in various books and catalogues. Tough in form and treatment it bares a resemblance to his master, Arakawa Toyozo, the glaze as well as the particulars of the form give it away as Tsukigata's work. I think that most people are used to seeing the various incarnations of Oni-Shino, Oni-Iga and Oni-Hagi and his more classical Shino pieces are over looked and not recognized as easily as his other styles of pottery. I find his pots influenced by the Momoyama archetypes and those of his master to be quite original and adding to the vocabulary of the modern Mino tradition they are a simple and contemplative counterpart to his powerful and electric Oni-Shino pottery.