I
often wonder what it would have been like to study with Kawai Kanjiro or Hamada
Shoji, two giants who helped define Japanese ceramics during the 20th century
not to mention their influences around the world. It must have been a
staggering experience that set one's direction into motion but what about
having studied with both of these pioneers, it could only be described as the
best of both worlds. One such potter who studied with both Hamada and Kawai was
Okuda Yasuhiro (1920-1999) having studied under each during the lean war years.
After his experiences under both masters, Okuda established his own kiln around
1949 and even Bernard Leach visited his studio in 1956. Okuda established two
distinct signature styles, one a mingei influenced body of work, many of the
pieces with rich and colorful overglaze enamels with fish as a central theme
and the other pursuit was haikaburi style woodfired wares of which the
illustrated chawan is a classic example. This chawan is light and comfortable
in the hand and has a rich surface of natural ash deposited about the bowl and
interior which runs toward the mikomi to create a rich pool of liquid ash.
Overall it is a simple bowl with a fine form and well cut foot but perhaps it
is the spirit of his masters along with a unique ability to blend both worlds
into a single object that makes the work of Okuda Yasuhiro as appealing as it
is understated.
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