Illustrated
is a large Tokoname shudei hibachi ("fire-bowl") by Yamada Tozan I
(1878-1940). The pot has a burnished surface and a lengthy inscription carved
into it with a long date and signature to conclude the text, after the
signature is an annotation, SAKU-TO, self carved. Tozan I was succeeded by his
son Yamada Tozan II (1907-1998) and in turn he by his son Tozan III (current).
Shudei ware was developed early in the Edo period in Tokoname (Aichi
prefecture) and is known for its fine grained, iron rich clay that fires to a
variety of red tones including bright red vermillion. The clay is burnished to
achieve these fine red surfaces and then once burnished the decoration is
carved through the tightly packed surface creating a two-tone effect. The
Tokoname potters specialized in carved kyusu teapots/cups, teaware (sencha and
matcha) and censors(koro) and braziers among other items with hand carved
(tosaku) floral and dragon decorations as well as extensive and idiosyncratic
texts, prayers (sutra), travelogues, narratives, etc. This particular hibachi
dates from the late 1920s and is a typical piece for Tozan I as well as the
Tokoname style in general and since this pot has been in the US since just
after WWII, I am curious what it has been used for during its stay State side?
Here
is a short video of Tokoname potter, Yamada Tozan III that I found on YouTube:
.JPG)