I stumbled upon this photo on the internet which did
not have any indication as to the maker but based on some previous experience,
I had my suspicions. Doing a bit of searching on the web, I came across the actual
source of the illustration and my original thoughts were confirmed, this is a
simple Shino kogo by Oni-Shino specialist, Tsukigata Nahiko, several of which I
have illustrated in various books and catalogues. Tough in form and treatment
it bares a resemblance to his master, Arakawa Toyozo, the glaze as well as the
particulars of the form give it away as Tsukigata's work. I think that most
people are used to seeing the various incarnations of Oni-Shino, Oni-Iga and
Oni-Hagi and his more classical Shino pieces are over looked and not recognized
as easily as his other styles of pottery. I find his pots influenced by the
Momoyama archetypes and those of his master to be quite original and adding to
the vocabulary of the modern Mino tradition they are a simple and contemplative
counterpart to his powerful and electric Oni-Shino pottery.
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