I have written about Takeuchi
Kimiaki (1948-2011) before in my blog and suffice it to say, he was a giant
within the field of modern Tokoname pottery. Takeuchi took cues and direction
from not only his master, Ezaki Issei, but fellow Tokoname potters such as
Osako Mikio and Ogawa Yukihiko. Together, the group forged a rebirth into the
pottery of Tokoname and each became synonymous with their own unique styling.
Illustrated is a large hachi by Takeuchi Kimiaki that could stand as the
textbook or signature style of his body of work. The surface has had a glassy
green ash glaze "flung" across its surface with careful and well
thought out design and the rest of the pot is adorned with effects of a wood
firing that has peppered the surface with speckles of ash and the body richly
reduced by charcoal created during the firing. As I mentioned, this style of
plate is a classic example of his work and I have seen several of this hachi in
print used to represent the potter for a vivid and creative style he was well
known for. I am always amazed at the clash between such a perfectly thrown
plate adorned with what appears to be such casual decoration; a method that is
well practiced and highly successful as it was developed from the very core of a
modern Tokoname potter.
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