I recently received a catalogue
that had a variety of pots dating prior to 1985 and in it was a rather
remarkable vase by Tsukigata Nahiko. Illustrated is a scan from the catalogue
showing another very typical form that Tsukigata worked with, but the surface
is anything but typical and possibly just shy of being picture perfect. Glazed
in a thick coat of Shino glaze, that almost appears curdled, iron is boiling up
from underneath and in places combining with the rich natural ash that has
deposited on the surface creating exceptional flows of varying hues and
textures. The area on the face of the pot that bore the brunt of the velocity
within the kiln is caked with a rich shield of ash that is just a touch
refractory in appearance and most likely to the touch as well. Whether by inspired
planning and experience or a touch of serendipity, the pot is mostly encased in
an ethereal coat of ash that makes the pot luminescent. Having seen similar
pots in person, I can tell you that if there is any dictionary that does not
have this (or a very similar pot) illustrated adjacent to the entry; ONI-SHINO,
than it definitely needs an immediate revision!
"It is reasonable to have
perfection in our eye that we may always advance toward it, though we know it
can never be reached." Samuel Johnson
(1709-1784)
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