SPHERES

Yuri-kinsai is rather complex technique where a potter applies silver, gold or platinum or any combination of them to the surface of a fired pot that is then repeatedly fired and finally glazed. In theory it may sound simple enough but getting everything just right ends up being the complication ending up in a percentage of loss. This somewhat simple, full and rounded pot was made by Nakada Kazuo who like several predecessors, specializes in rather exacting and sometimes intricate and complicated decoration tailored to each unique form. In this case, Nakada has cut out and applied a series of graduated spheres to match the form in both silver and gold and covered the face of the pot bringing life and unpredictable movement to the piece. The small but careful attention to details regarding the neck and mouth are a fitting addition to the form which helps guide the eye on to the top, shoulder and body of the small vase without overwhelming the rhythm and poetry of the whole. Nakada has chosen the perfect decoration for this nearly perfectly round pot, design composed of circles upon circles perhaps one of the oldest symbols known to man and something everyone responds to on a wide array of levels though not as equidistant as all the points in a circle.