I am amazed sometimes that an act as simple as
changing a lid on a pot can make a really impactful difference. Illustrated is
two distinct views of a kofuki style mizusashi by Takahashi Samon; on the left
with the ceramic lid and on the right with a custom made lacquer one, both
creating a striking visual presentation, literally a mizusashi for every season
or at least two season. The mizusashi is a classic surface by Takahashi and as
you can see both lids compliment the piece in distinct ways, adding to the dramatic
movement of the pot established by the crisp, twisted planes that rise from
foot to mouth creating a sense of perpetual motion. The smoky, meandering
patterns created in the slip, move along the twisting fields adding to the
animation of the mizusashi and add a hint of mystery and contemplation making
the piece that much more engaging. Adding to the visual appeal of the pot is
the adventure that this pot undertook before arriving here, this is the pot
that I recounted in a previous blog post entitled; ODDS AGAINST in which the
package went missing and when it finally did arrive it looked as if it had been
savaged at sea, crushed, mushed and soaking wet but the contents emerged safe
and sound. This is one of those pieces that sticks in your mind not only for
the wonderful conversationalist that it is but also for the perilous venture it
braved like a ceramic version of Homer's ODYSSEY.
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