BUSHI

When I first saw this Bizen vase I was immediately reminded of all of the various Haniwa earthenware funerary figures I have seen at various museums across the US and throughout Japan. The poise, character and posturing of this vase specifically reminded me of the armored Haniwa figures where the forms emulated the ancient armored warriors of the Kofun period, standing defiantly and with bravery and honor. I am not sure if that was the intent or inspiration of Kakurezaki Ryuichi when he began making this particular form but the association is inescapable to my eye and brings the ancient traditions of the Kofun era Haji-yaki and Bizen pottery full circle and colliding directly with the abstraction of modern yakimono of the 20th century. Like the abstracted sculpture and vessels of Suzuki Osamu, much of Kakurezaki's works have both overt and subtle features that call to mind various elements of the old while treading the razor's edge of modernity, adding sculptural gesture to the sweeping historical precedent of Bizen pottery. Though this particular vase is mostly traditional in origin it is the hidden and subtle details that creates a vessel that is both tethered to the past and working overtime to break those constraints. This is a simple vase, with simple details, well crafted and well fired moving one step further along in the evolution pathway that makes Bizen a living tradition. I hope this short video slideshow sheds a bit of light on what this Bizen vase looks like in person.