103.59

So it wasn't all that long ago that I assumed that the largest kiln in Japan was that of the Bizen potter Mori Togaku coming in at 85 meters long but I recently learned that there is a Guinness record for the longest bricked kiln measuring in at 103.59 meters in Kuroishi, Aomori prefecture built by potter, Imai Rikei (Keiichi). Illustrated is an Ujoyaki chawan made by Imai Rikei before he held the record for longest kiln which is clearly well fired and has qualities of a number of wood fired styles including Bizen and Shigaraki. Featuring a wide array of natural kiln effects which starts with a backdrop of thick, wet flashing, lots of ash built up on the face and across the entire foot of the chawan concluding this is a rather intriguing bowl whether it was fired in the longest of shortest kiln in Aomori. As you can see this chawan was fired upside down leading to a number of ash drips around the lip as well as the running ash appearing to defy gravity which opens up into an interior that is mostly devoid of any built up ash effects excepting some light flashing and what appears to be ghostly white line where straw separated the bowl from the foot of another pot on which it was fired. Though not a household name, this chawan by Imai Rikei is a perfect amalgam of function, purpose and rustic appearance that makes for an honest, easy to use pot that speaks to each and every sense with each encounter.

https://www.trocadero.com/stores/albedo3studio/items/1476825/AOMORI-WOOD-FIRED-CHAWAN-BY-IMAI-RIKEI