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
.JPG)