REARVIEW

Illustrated is what would be considered the rear view, the reverse of this Shigaraki mizusashi but to be perfectly transparent you are looking at the bottom of the pot as it was actually fired. The wonderful blue-grey ash is at home as the base coat for the running ash, collecting as thick drips are flanked by shell scars from where the pot was propped up off the shelves or floor of the kiln. This particular Shigaraki mizusashi was made by Kon Chiharu and though our encounter was extremely brief  I managed to take quite a few photos before packing it up and sending it on its way to the owner. Like most of Kon Chiharu's work, the first consideration is function, a dedication to purpose followed by creating forms that are best suited for and accentuated by the anagama kiln firings. Based on this rear view and the well fired, all ash face it is clear that this mizusashi was placed in a premium vantage point in the kiln while the lid which was not fired on the pot was placed elsewhere though the lid and other side of the piece match up quite well in terms of ash coverage and coloration. There is a lot to see in this pot as it was painted and narrated by fire and ash that presents a enigmatic landscape that blends medieval tradition with a creative modern approach that in this case is associated with the Niigata potter, Kon Chiharu.