NOT MY POT, NOT MY PHOTO II

I made a quick composite photo of the front and back of a very sturdy, somber Echizen hanaire made by Kumano Kuroemon, the same one that I posted the detail shot of about a week ago. The essence of the Echizen firing and classic Kumano styling is seen in these photo with a with array of firing effects including a rich, shiny dark hiiro on the rear which is punctuated by running drips of ash and a large botamochi style shadow adding a hint of mystery and intrigue into the aggressive, even ferocious nature of the firing process that Kumano is so fond of and committed to. There is warmth, strength and honesty in Kumano's clay, pottery that springs from the spirit and imagination yet rooted in sincerity and function. I think it is more than abundantly clear as you look at the works of Kumano Kuroemon, created by half-man, half-bear that if you aren't going to push the throwing and firing to the very point of chaos and collapse then why would you bother?

"Real gold does not fear the fire." A Chinese Proverb