Illustrated
is a large yuriko style porcelain charger by Yoshida Takashi which was on
display on the mantle for a while. Though I am a fan of sometsuke, I also like
the stark drama portrayed in underglaze red with copper tone "bones"
defining the decoration which is present on this charger but is a bit difficult
to see because of the poor lighting. This large piece is also the beneficiary
of a large and bold design which works well on the banded round form, like a
circular window looking out into the garden where drifting clouds act as a backdrop
for the garden foliage. As must be apparent, Yoshida Takashi has clearly
mastered the art of porcelain and the specific technique of yuriko and
sometsuke which are prone to caused unattractive crawling, was passed on to him
by his master, Kondo Yuzo. In fact there is a great catalogue showcasing Kondo
Yuzo and his many students of which Yoshida is included with five illustrations
among which a very similar charger though in sometsuke is depicted. I have to
admit that without fail, every encounter with the pottery of Yoshida Takashi's
pottery leaves me with a calm and contemplative feeling whether it is a simple
tokkuri and guinomi, a mizusashi or perhaps a large charger commanding the room
with its pure white and underglaze red presence.
"Red is the ultimate
cure for sadness." Bill Blass
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