DASHING FIGURE

 

Since I don't practice chanoyu and have not used this chawan for any practical use, I can't really speak to the functional efficacy of the piece but I do think it cuts quite a dashing figure none the less. This modern take on an Oribe chawan was made by Ishii Takahiro who studied with Kakurezaki Ryuichi where I suspect his sense of modernity and cutting edge ideas was fostered and developed during his apprenticeship. This chawan was first thrown and then manipulated into this nearly rectangular form when it was faceted to create a rather angular appearance with sharp edges and lines to define its internal and external space. I should note that as a byproduct of manipulating and "cutting" the clay it present s a rather appealing shadow line created by the small amount of lift of the kodai which acts almost like a pedestal to the geometric inspired form. 

The chawan was then seemingly casually glazed leaving micro-textured areas of the clay exposed before being fired on three shell wads to effect glaze movement that would alter the sense of movement and depth during the firing. The glaze ran to the side which during the firing was the floor of the pot, creating thick, deep green pools of Oribe glass and can be seen running toward the shell scars on the face of the bowl. The combination of the sharp lines, unusual form, glaze movement and the firing scars all combine to create a rather intriguing take on modern Oribe and just what is possible with some creative thinking outside of the box and four centuries of tradition to pick and choose from. It would seem that with many traditions and pursuits the possibilities are endless and honestly, isn't green just wonderful?