I guess the maxim "appearances can be
deceiving" makes quite a bit of sense. especially when pots are involved. When
I first saw this vase (a single picture) I was sure I was looking at one of the
Miraku Kamei potters, XIII, XIV or XV though I suspected one of the earlier
generations. Once it arrived, I realized I was rather far afield on this one
judging solely from the single, static image, it turned out to be by well known
studio potter, Yasuhara Kimei. As you can see this piece bares absolutely no
resemblance to Yasuhara's best known sekki stone texture but rather showcases
his diversity and technical glaze mastery which he inherited from his master
Itaya Hazan during his days at the Totokai in Tokyo. Once he established his
own studio in the very late 1920's much of Yasuhara's work centered around more
traditional or classic glazed wares of which this almost Takatori style vase
fits well into that body of work. Thrown
skillfully out of porcelain this classic form had wonderful molded fish lugs
applied to either side of the neck which brings this piece to like and breaks
up the lines of the form. The glaze, running and streaking about the pot is the
perfect surface accentuating each component of the vase including th addition
of iron to the tips of the fins of each fish lug. I have to admit that given
what is mostly considered synonomous with Yasuhara Kimei this glazed, simple
pot has a simple sense of classicism and formality. This formality distinguishes itself
from his later work but clearly shows his grasp of the fundamentals needed
before moving on to a style filled with more freedom and adventure, even a
potter needs to learn to walk before he can run.
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