Monday, August 28, 2023

IN USE

Looking a bit like these gladiolas exploded like fireworks out of this decidedly medieval looking jar this Kumano tsubo is fait acompli through one possible use of the form. This and a few other photos were sent to me by a collector in Japan where he described himself as the "junk sale winner" when this pot arrived at his doorstep and proved to be far better than expected. From my perspective, this pot has that old appearance made by a farmer/ potter of the Late Sengoku or Momoyama periods like portrayed in the Mizoguchi Kenji genre film, UGETSU MONOGATARI. However your relate to this slightly mis-shapened and very well fired Echizen tsubo its portrayal in the traditional tokonoma, on roiro lacquer stand, filled with flowers with calligraphy acting as the back drop, this Kumano pot is transported to almost anytime or place in Japan over the last five centuries or more than likely from as recent as 2023.