NUMBER TWO OF THREE

The other day I received a package with three pots in it to sell for a collector friend that he had acquired in Japan. The first was the Hishoku Nanban-yaki chawan  by Sakauchi Ensen which displayed a wonderfully exotic array of color and texture that I think I can confidently say is unique to the potter. This two view photo is of a Bizen chawan by Kondo Masahiko that is brought to life while simply hanging out, just basking in the sun light of the afternoon. This photo clearly shows off the rich tan of the ash covered face of the chawan along with the interior back wall of the bowl showing off the small pool of liquid ash running ever so slightly into the interior. The opposite side of the teabowl shows off several other qualities, a nice blend of texture, ash and flashing all painted by a rather discriminating firing. The chawan is probably best highlighted by the carefree and meandering lip, the bold, deep carving and the unseen well conceived and orchestrated foot cut as the near perfect companion to the form and attitude of the piece. I am not saying this is a perfect chawan but I will say that through all the experience acquired during his apprenticeship with Kakurezaki and the years since it is quite obvious that Kondo Masahiko has a real knack for putting all the right pieces of the puzzle in just the right place to paint a perfect picture.

You can see more of this chawan over on my Trocadero marketplace;
https://www.trocadero.com/stores/albedo3studio/items/1419751/BOLDLY-CARVED-BIZEN-CHAWAN-BY-KONDO-MASAHIKO