I have seen a number of Oribe pieces by Kitaoji Rosanjin over the years,
in particular a number of tsubo ranging in size from very small to about
16" tall and truth be told, each and every one was fascinating and has had
a lasting imprint on my work. Taking a cue from a quotation by Rosanjin and
realizing that "all pottery is a copy", over time I have figured out
what it is about his tsubo that interests me and it is those individual
qualities that I strive to recreate. Obviously, the glaze, rather myriad of
glazes is a point of specific interest but I am also interested in the sense of
tenseness that he achieves in his pots. I am looking to capture a spirited
fullness in the form and that is a primary aim of my Oribe tsubo. The
illustrated tsubo, maybe 9" tall has the fullness of the pot accentuated by
the incised "fence" design created around the belly of the pot and
the tautness of the form is further implied by how the Oribe glaze has
stretched thin around the decoration. Now, I understand I am a far way off the
expressiveness of your average Rosanjin, but each piece is another step toward
an expressiveness that communicates my own unique style.
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