THAT IS A BOWL

Large, bold Aka-Shino chawan by Yamada Kazu and for full disclosure the photo is just a bit over-exposed and I do not have access to it to rephotograph the piece but despite that fact it is still quite easy to say, now that is a bowl. I think what is immediately apparent is the fiery appeal of the chawan with a wonderful multi-toned surface, nice texture, great form and lip and the seductive taper from the base to the lip. As if these attributes weren't enough the dramatic punctuations from the fingermarks created while dipping the bowl in glaze also act as the starting point for the glaze runs, contrary to gravity up the chawan while the bowl was pulled from the bucket upside down. The wonderful surface creates a practiced landscape that like a good painting tells the story of at least part of the creation of this chawan while leaving the remainder up to the viewers fertile imagination. Despite the character and characteristics of the bowl, at its core this is a simple chawan that was constructed of complex details that are a very clear indication that the potter who made this bowl has made many more of this form and style. For Yamada to arrive at this point his experience like some organic clock works from piece to piece and firing to firing creating a long and sometimes winding pathway of pots along the way.