I really like to see wood fired altered forms that
have been thrown and then manipulated, you can most times see the process left
in the clay itself. The subtle or sometimes rather obvious scratches, drags,
cuts and lines left in the clay give away how the potter altered the form and
in certain instances with what type of tool. The illustrated square form Bizen
kinuta vase was made by Masamune Satoru, a potter I have written about
previously and one who's works I happen to find a tremendous affinity for, in
other words, his work and how he worked speaks to me. This vase has a surface
with a wide variety of effects that has
that misty morning appearance where the clouds and haze are retreating showing
the rich fire color at the neck and where the wads were placed. This is Bizen
at its elemental, straight forward, uncontrived and stripped down of the
superfluous in its making and its firing; all squared away, a basic yet
convincing pot.
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