The box is inscribed IGA STYLE CHAWAN but I think it is
quite easy to look at this piece and see that it has Iga written across the
entire surface. Made in Gifu Prefecture by Mizuno Takuzo, despite being a
traditional Mino potter, he created a wide array of distinct wood fired pots
that center around Mino-Iga and Iga style pottery. This Iga style chawan is a
typical example of Mizuno's unglazed, haikaburi style wood fired pieces that
despite being made miles away from Iga have many of the tell tale signs of that
distinct pottery excepting the clay body which is much more Mino in origin. The
face of this chawan has that medieval presence that I am very fond of that at
first glance defies its age with running ash giving way to the rough surface
underneath with areas of spatula work and other slight manipulation giving an
overall depth and sense of movement to the piece. The green ash highlights the
undulating lip and stoic form which balances very well with the exposed clay
color of the kodai. I can't help but think that this purposeful pot is an
honest combination of both style and substance all in the guise of a rather
forthright "Iga style" chawan.
.JPG)