F+WJH=SG

Funky with a dash of "what just happened" describes this earthy Iga vase using my particular vernacular which is about as timeless as they come. I love pots that display this degree of casualness and there certainly is no lack of bravado or even a hint of symmetry but what else would one expect from Suzuki Goro who has made a career out of doing what just comes naturally along a path that is definitely less traveled. Made out of a coarse Shigaraki (?) clay, the pot was thrown quickly, loosely and with little concern for the weight of the finished object, once thrown the piece had lugs attached to either side of the neck while the piece was still quite wet culminating in an object that has a rather natural quality to it. This pot just exudes function, stability and a liveliness that seem to come along with Goro's pots as expected as the surprise toy in a box of Cracker Jacks. 

Though not necessarily known for his haikaburi (Shigaraki) style pots, I have seen quite a few and it is obvious that this sturdy vase was fired in a great spot in the kiln producing a rather wonderful surface painted by ash and flame. Of particular note is where the ash built up on the right side of the vase, the ash has pooled on the depressed shoulder and then the clay eroded just a bit unleashing the small but noticeable waterfall of molten glass now forever frozen in mid-stream. In the end where ever you fall on the like or dislike wood fired pots it would be difficult to just walk past this vase without giving it a more than thorough once over and thinking it is maybe betwixt and between then and now.