ROOTED IN THE PAST

My first real exposure to the works of Shigaraki potter Kengo Saeki was through an add in a Japanese magazine and then later at a gallery that had three of his recently fired pieces all created to resemble Edo period locks used on doors and tansu. I found the design and execution of these pieces to be quite wonderful and when you added in the exceptional firing these pots are just modern Shigaraki magic. Since that time I have come in contact with a number of his more traditional and classic thrown pottery ranging from very usable guinomi and tokkuri to vases and an array of chadogu for tea ceremony.   

Illustrated is a much more traditional Shigaraki pot by Kengo Saeki, a rather nice mizusashi that borrows from the old to add a bit to the present. The form, lid and knob of this pot are rather simple and it is perhaps because of that simplicity that there is an inviting and calming atmosphere to the pot that is incised around the shoulder with the quintessential Shigaraki fence design used for centuries.    

Though rooted in the past this mizusashi has been fired in a way that embracing more modern firing techniques and goals from the botamochi style resist areas to the build up of layered ash that creates a near rainbow of coloration from hi-iro flashes to greys, greens, lavenders, light blues to even light pinks as well as bands of scorched deep browns to help paint this canvas in a semi-abstract landscape. I think it is safe to say that under the tutelage of his master, Sawa Kiyotsugu that Kengo Saeki has been well founded in the traditions of Shigaraki pottery making and firing along with the vision to see beyond the old and create pottery that speaks of all the modern influences available and I suspect that is exactly what a living tradition is all about.