TOH-BYOBU

Illustrated is a very nice "cong" style Iga vase by legendary potter, Furutani Michio. With running ash, areas of dark charcoal scorching and a wide array of other effects, each of the four sides with a distinct and intertwined landscape tells its own story of a time spent in a brutal and ferocious firing much like an expressionist folding screen (byobu). Having an appearance of tremendous age and distinct nobility, this pot like most pieces by Furutani Michio ties together a tradition that spans back to the last days of Sueki pottery and permeates through most wood fired pots in both Iga and Shigaraki to this day. Imbued with purpose, function and a distinct aesthetic it is easy to see why such pots stand out even today among a diverse and very talented field.