SILVER LEAVES

Illustrated is another chawan by Iga potter Banura Shiro. I have written about him in prior posts, so I will skip the biographical details. This tantalizing kuro-wan, black bowl, has Banura’s trademark black textural glaze over a redish clay body. After the chawan was glaze fired, it was rubbed with a gold (gilt) wash over the black which is barely noticeable accept in the right light. He then painted silver(ginji) leaves over the surface which accentuates the broad base and tapering form. As I look at this chawan, it reminds me of looking at the far off Fujiyama through sparse foliage. The concept and evocative form harken back to the ceramic pieces of the Rimpa masters and shows homage to Ogata Kenzan (1663-1743), the founder of this style.