One of the real intresting aspects of Oribe is the nearly infinite variety of green that is manifest through varying glazes used over the centuries. When you add the various styles of Oribe, the tradition is just full of potential and possibilities for the modern potter. Of the wide array of styles, there is one in particular that sprung on the scene in the Momoyama period and almost as quickly disappeared, Yasachida-Oribe. Yashichida-Oribe is awhimsical and playful style of Oribe that was popular during the renaissance of the late Momoyama to early Edo period, spontaneous and casual lay dormant until the style of decoration was revived by modern master potter; Suzuki Goro. This technique epitomizes the playfulness in Japanese art and highlights the creative genius of Suzuki and is used as an overall design that encompasses the pot or is focus in “panel” style decoration and surrounded by large areas of Kuro-Oribe or Ao-Oribe. Though Suzuki is a master of everything he tries and is considered a consummate master of Ki-Seto and Seto-Guro, it is his playful, Momoyama infused works in Yasachida-Oribe style that I believe he excels and propels the possibilities of a tradition into the 21st century.
Illustrated is a bold Yashichida-Oribe chawan by Suzuki Goro. This chawan is large with an exillerating foot and panel “free-style” decoration with a variety of marks in rich iron, greens and corals on a creamy ground under a clear ash glaze and surrounded by a feldspathic glaze over a rich charcoal black background. The beauty of this work is the timeless nature it exudes while confidently serving as a bridge between the old and the very new.
More pictures of this chawan can be seen on my website at;
http://www.trocadero.com/stores/albedo3studio/items/1092571/item1092571store.html
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