Illustrated
is a Tsukigata Nahiko Oni-Shino chawan that used to belong to a collector
friend of mine. At one time he had the largest group of Tsukigata pots that I
am aware of outside of Japan which included a number of chawan, a magnificent
chaire, a gem quality mizusashi, tsubo, hanaire and a framed tile to boot. But
when I close my eyes this large brooding chawan stands out, its energy and
presence palpable as if it were alive. The rich and molten surface frozen in
time when Shino, ash and iron coalesce to create a statement about both potter
and craft. There really is only one master of this style and this chawan a
vivid exclamation about the spirit, determination and mystery of the art of
Oni-Shino.
"This
inanimate object, this pottery thing holds within itself thought and feeling in
some mysterious way different from any other inanimate objects." Ted
Randall (1914-1985)
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