BOWLED OVER

I am constantly amazed at the wild and unique variety of modern Japanese pottery and even more so regarding pieces based on centuries old traditions with a modern and spirited approach. I recently had this large and impressive bowl in my hands which is based on the old tradition of Kuro-Satsuma, Black Satsuma which see its roots in the late 16th century with the influx of Korean potters in to Tateno, Tatsumonji and Neashirogawa in Kyushu. This classic yet modern Naeshirogawa-yaki  piece was made by Araki Mikijiro and was showcased at the ASAHI CERAMICS EXHIBITION in 1983 (where it won a Special Award). The slideshow video should show off the variety of color variations and wonderful repeated detail in the design which brings a rather elegant atmosphere to what is a functional pot of which Yanagi Soetsu considered the works of Kuro-Satsuma as a standard bearer of the Mingei movement. The exceptional use of motif, decoration for which Araki is well known, truly brings this pot to life, animates it and makes it anything but your standard Sunday dinner serving bowl. I didn't use a lot of photos for this slideshow but I suspect you will still get a sense of the presence and scale of the large, pleasing and impressive Japanese pot.