LIKE FATHER-IN-LAW, LIKE SON-IN-LAW

What is rather clear looking at this chawan is the old adage, like father-in-law, like son-in-law, well perhaps not an adage but based on Japanese pottery history, maybe it should be. This classic mashiko chawan was made by Kimura Mitsuru, son-in-law and student of Kimura Ichiro who went on to run Ichiro's kiln after his passing. Broad and sturdy in form and scale, the form has a distinct commonality with bowls that both Hamada Shoji and Kimura Ichiro are well known for where the foot is just wide enough to create a sound and stable perch while conforming well with the other various proportions.

 The coarse stoneware clay is covered in a fat, opague nuka glaze with just the smallest amount of curdling here and there and on either side a rich iron, tetsu-e decoration of flora adds movement and a richness to the bowl. The decoration which ranges from dark to rich iron highlights has hints of both Hamada Shoji and Kimura Ichiro in the brushwork but as you survey the bowl and surface it is clearly from another hand. The foot was quickly cut with a deep interior where the nuka glaze shows off its curdling, crawling the best and is a welcome detail as the bowl is examined. This nuka and tetsu-e chawan is a classic piece relying on two predecessors who pose wonderful paragons to strive for and in this bowl Kimura Mitsuru's dedication to that ideal is clearly on display.