BALANCED

Though this may appear very similar to a few other Persian or Scythian design influenced square platters by Kato Kenji, this one is just a bit different in its scale, it is quite a bit larger and immediately radiates a rather magical presence. The border of this platter is of triangular shapes, flipping in alternative directions and filled with black and white that acts to contain or frame the interior decoration of black and white glaze, rich red and green enamel creating an abstracted floral repeat in the quadrants of the interior. As I pointed out in a previous post, the spontaneous and lyrical brushwork which floats on the balanced black and white glazes breathes life into not only the decoration but the simple and functional form which has also turned its attention to both use and aesthetics. Perhaps one of the hidden features of this platter is the rich breaking iron that acts as the final frame of the edge of this piece which is fully realized bathed in the warmth and light of the afternoon sun. Though probably best known for his various toruko-ao Persian blue glazes I have yet to see a glaze combination or decoration by Kato Kenji that has not made me feel just a bit richer and fufilled for the encounter be it brief or long standing.