FIVE FOR FRIDAY

Though I am sure it is obvious, these are neither my photos nor my pots, this group of five pictures come from a retropective exhibition catalogue of the work of Bizen potter and Juyo Mukei Bunkazai, Yamamoto Toshu (1906-1994). In a recent exchange on chawan I sent these pictures to a fellow collector as "good" example of Yamamoto's work as by many critics he is considered have among the best "wheel technique" of 20th century Bizen potters. I am not sure that is exactly why I have gravitated to his pottery but I do really enjoy how he handles clay where he blends the formal with just the right amount of the casual creating direct and forceful pottery.           

In conjunction with his use of clay and the wheel, Yamamoto's pots appear imbued with purpose where each style of Bizen uses traditional archetypes to bring simple and rich new creations into existence out of nothing more than some small amount of clay, technique at the wheel and a knowledge of just exactly how to fire each and every pot that made its way into his kiln. I think this group of five chawan clearly show the skill and diversity of pots within the Bizen tradition that Yamamoto Toshu drew from from my very favorite of his chawan in the number one spot all the way to his soft, hidasuki style bowl bringing up the rear of the pack and what none of these photo show off is just how exceptional his chaire* were, but that is a post for another day.        

(* See the BIZEN YAMAMOTO TOSHU CHAIRE-TEN for an exhibition of the range of his chaire.)