Illustrated on the left is an austere and
weathered wooden kizuchi style mallet, in its own way, it has a sculptural presence
and is classical mingei. It is mallets exactly like this one that have inspired
potters to turn wood in to clay over a number of centuries and this particular example
makes a great test subject. The pot on the right is a rather old haiyu glazed
kinuta vase by "ex-salary man" and Mashiko staple; Takauchi Shugo.
Created rather early in his pottery career, probably in the mid-1970s, this
piece is another simple and casually thrown pot with just the right balance of
proportions, throwing marks and gesture to make for a successful form. The use
of a thick and runny ash glaze creates further movement in the pot creating
dark areas where the glaze has settled in to the throwing lines and the way the
glaze is running down the neck creates a wonderful vertical sense to the piece
as well as creating a rich pool in the depressed area of the shoulder. Though
made early on, this pot shows the individuality, skill and sense of proportion
of form that has set Takeuchi Shugo's pottery apart from most potters today.
"That so few now dare to be eccentric marks
the chief danger of our times."
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873)
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