In
studying the classics, in this case Ki-Seto, one of the essential 20th century
potters of that idiom that needs to be singled out is of course Kagami Shukai
(1941-2009) whose pots were deeply rooted in the styles archetypes with a sense
of his modern touch. The illustrated Ki-Seto mizusashi has that classic
sensibility appearing like a molded pot of the Edo period yet was thrown and
altered to this unique shape. The lozenge form of this pot goes back to various
traditions and styles of the Edo period which ties this piece firmly between
antiquity and modern times cloaked in Kagami's well known Ki-Seto glaze with
detailed areas highlighted where marks were made in the soft clay. The whole
package is made complete with a wonderful cryptomeria cypress lid with attached
wood handle, the overall feel with this lid roots it even more firmly in days
gone by. I think it is impossible to think about modern Ki-Seto without
bringing Kagami Shukai in to the conversation where he is associated with the likes
of Arakawa Toyozo, Kato Kozo, Hori Ichiro, Hara Kenji and Hayashi Kyosuke,
there may be others to add to this list but there is no denying this is certainly
good company to keep.
.JPG)