EVERYTHING BAGEL

I have to admit it has been quite some time since I have seen and handled a new chaire by Furutani Michio but everytime I think, that the previous may have been the very last one, another one shows up. As you can see this chaire is broad, wide and sturdy in appearance and construction, The whole form is broad and overall I would say this is clearly built like a tank. Clearly marked; SHIGARAKI CHAIRE,  this chaire has a bit of everything you could hope or ask for, just like an everything bagel (!) from the glassy shoulder and cascading ash and areas of darker, deep brown ash from the velocity of the kiln. I should also note that another feature that makes this piece a bit special is that the shifuku (not shown in this photo obviously) is a simple homespun piece actually made by Furutani Michio's wife. This personal and intimate addition is something that I always greatly appreciate and makes this combo of chaire and shifuku truly a Shigaraki cottage "industry". Though I haven't seen a Furutani chaire in some time, this encounter was rather welcomed and just what the pottery doctor ordered.

WHAT'S NEXT

Illustrated is a recent etched teabowl with spirals and slashes design. This was glazed in a clear glaze with the golden brown amber over it and I am a bit enthralled with all the running, streaking that creates an almost holographic effect. The design under the glaze is clearly visable which is always a plus and the glaze creates a distinct sense of movement which abruptly stops at the widest point of the bowl, the transition between the main part of the form and the decending base culminating in the foot. Beyond the etched decoration, the rich deep, dark amber is probably the most eye catching feature which truth be told is hard to miss, though it wasn't intentional it couldn't have happened at a better place exactly where the design ends. Unfortunatley my mind is now wondering, what else, what's next in relation to this glaze because naturally, I won't be content until I screw it up.