Illustrated
is a picture that I found on the web of an Ko-Iga style vase by Kojima Kenji.
It is obvious this piece dates early in Kojima's career but the strength of
form and his mastery of firing is clearly seen in here. The bamboo form is casual
in its making creating an imposing presence with a strong ridge defining the
piece, the confident marks made along the pot articulate the surface and break
the tension just a bit. The majority of the vase form is cloaked in a rich
green ash that appears wet and in motion while there is a triangular patch
where charcoal has painted a portion of the base creating a wonderful
juxtaposition to the rest of the surface. Though this pot has strong ties to
feudal archetypes than his more contemporary vessels it is clear that he was right on
track to creating robust and honest pottery that reflects a dedication to
Ko-Iga and the personal vision of a pioneer.
"To
make beautiful Igayaki, one shouldn't fuss too much with the shapes but stay
conscious of showing off the beautiful green color." From an interview
between Hiroshi Den and Kojima Kenji, translated by Peter Ujlaki.
.JPG)