QUIET BUT CAPTIVATING

There is something to be said about pots that are subtle and possess a degree of purity where there is a marriage of clean line and clarity of design, purpose and execution and I think that this vase embodies those ideals and philosophy of creation. Based in part on a well established Sung Dynasty tradition this vase was made by Mashiko potter, Hirosaki Hiroya (1933-2012) who blended his foundations learned during his time studying with Hamada Shoji and also Ishiguro Munemaro who also shared an interest in the Chinese pottery aesthetics. Graceful and elegant in form, Horisaki sculpted a rather crisp and stylized blossom on the face of the vase before glazing in a pure, white Hakuji that is perhaps the perfect surface for both form and decoration. Creating works that are devoid of decoration as well, many are glazed in pure white glaze to showcase the strength, nobility and purity of the forms while others have accent of a cinnabar style shinsha-yu or yuriko red glazes that seem to float effortlessly on in the surface making for a rather profound appearance. Though reliant on a Chinese aesthetic, Hirosaki has picked the essential elements in which to voice his unique vision where past meets present yielding a quiet but captivating conversation between the potter, his pottery and the viewer.