Illustrated is a very large pot by internationally
recognized ceramic artist, Morino Taimei (b. 1934). There is a great deal
written about Morino across a variety of websites, so I will skip the accolades
and focus on the pot. At over 16" tall, it is one of the largest pieces by
Morino that I have seen. His choice of decoration, reaching vertically up the
pot only adds to the scale and presence of this piece which has the sense of
some ancient totemic stele bathed in blue, turquoise and tan tones. Named, CHUO
(Listening to the Rain), this vessel won
the 1993 Minister of Education Prize at the Nikko-kai Exhibit and a special
notation and date inside of the box lid attests to the fact as well. Having
seen a great number of pieces by Morino over the years, this particular one
will rank as one of the most powerful and memorable contemporary Japanese
sculptural vessel that I have encountered.
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