PLANNED SPONTANEITY

Illustrated is a small porcelain koro with exacting underglaze and overglaze decoration creating a diminutive tour de force of the enamellist art. Nestled under the wing like collar, this koro is surrounded by four deep indigo blue kanji, this one being makoto or sincerity, also seen used by The Shinsengumi of the Bakumatsu era. Flanking the four kanji are panels of multi-color designs having a rather modern meets traditional atmosphere at some level reminding me of 50s design, the lip and the pierced base is surrounded by bands of black ticked by lines to define the space. Gold is used sparingly but to maximum effect, outlining the kanji, banding various elements of the form and the stylized butterfly on the pierced lid allowing for the incense to escape the interior when the lid is in place. 

Made by one of the stand out porcelain and enamel specialists of the 20th century, Kitade Fujio (1919-2014), he honed his craft under his father Tojiro (1898-1968) and in time and after many awards went on to teach a whole new generation of potter at the Kanazawa College of Art . Many of Kitade Fujio's later ceramics show an unbridled enthusiasm for the use of enamel painting combined with incised decoration work showing off a well planned spontaneity and a rather modern feel. Though this small koro likely fits into the 70s, his exacting attention to detail and precision are clearly on display and at this point the only thing missing is the wafting trails of incense in use.