STORYTELLER

Every now and then I am reminded of some of the great potters who left us well before they should have, some were on the brink of greatness and others had clearly show their genius. Of the pivotal potters on this list, I often think of Bizen master, Kaneshige Michiaki whose work spans both tradition and contemporary expression where the manner in which he handled and used clay and his exceptional firing created objects that set a standard that all potters can strive to. I should also say that I have been rather fortunate to handle quite a number of Michiaki's pots over the years including at two shows* of his work in Japan in the early 1990s, though I must be honest and say they have all be his more traditional work geared around tea ceremony. I have not handled the chawan in this screen grab from an early 90s video series on Japanese potters but I can say this chawan is a classic piece in form and firing that as it rotates in the video presents a clear picture as to the form, posture and firing of an intoxicating bowl.

Even in this photo and in fact the video, the lyrical posture and animated movement of the form is an excellent canvas for Kaneshige Michiaki's well considered and experienced firings. This chawan just invites the viewer to participate in its narrative, asking you to come along on a journey as the potter and clay as storyteller weaves the past and present into a thoroughly enjoyable ceramic experience; it is quite easy to imagine this chawan letting you know, "I have a story to tell and it is a doozy".