Illustrated is a fine scroll by Oni-Shino potter, Tsukigata Nahiko.
Painting in a thinned grey ink wash, the quick and steady tsuki-gata (moon
shape) enso shows the remarkable calligraphic skills of the master of clay,
fire, ink and oils. Tsukigata had a remarkable way with the brush which is
readily seen on his signed boxes but of couse is best manifested on paper and
he has left a large body of shoga (ink art) that draws on both Buddhist and
everyday aphorism and imagery for inspiration. I have seen a number of staffs
(bo) and enso painted in washed out ink tones as well as rich dark black
calligraphy, either way, it is easy to see his samurai-like spirit in nearly
all the works he has left us.
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