Illustrated is an extremely effective and simple foot on a
chawan by Sugimoto Sadamitsu (b. 1935). Though at first glance, it could seem
this foot was cut in haste, the well conceived kodai compliments the
cylindrical form of the chawan very well. In fact, everything about the form of
this pot speaks to a tremendous economy of thought, process and execution like
many of its medieval antecedents. The bowl has been created in a style that has
stripped away any superfluous additions to allow the purity of form and clay to
interact with the will and determination of the firing. Best known for his
woodfired Shigaraki and Iga wares, Sugimoto is also a master at producing Raku
chawan of sublime and beautiful simplicity, another style that relies of the
simplicity of form, glaze and firing to create subtle yet effective master
works. Though this foot is the model of efficiency, I cannot imagine any
additions or subtractions that would improve upon what appears to be a perfect
kodai for this chawan.
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