KUJAKU-YU

My last post regarding the Tsukigata Nahiko golden mizusashi got me thinking of the metallic and lustrous surface or another pot that I took photos of a while back, different but certainly as interesting. I first came in to contact with Miura Shurei's pottery from seeing the Kikuchi collection and though I had seen a few pieces first hand, I hadn't actually handled any until earlier this year. This somewhat confusing detail shot is a close-up of the iridescent, metallic surface of a tall octagonal bottle by Miura Shurei (b.1942) that shows off one of his classic glazes, kujaku-yu (peacock glaze) which is bisected by one of the lines created when the piece was faceted. The glaze has either run away or has been intentionally manipulated to highlight each ridge line creating a wonderful decorative element to an already stunning surface and vase. In low light this bottle appears to be just a classic, Chinese influenced form with a dark, smoky glaze but by subjecting it to varying light sources the pot shows off its various lives with a different persona for each. As you may be able to tell from this detail shot, this is a very spirited and contemplative vase with a surface rich in variation and elements, it was great to have the opportunity to see it first hand, literally.

I should also mention that there is a piece by Miura Shurei at the Sackler (Smithsonian) which you can see here; https://www.freersackler.si.edu/object/S1993.35/