APPERANCES CAN BE DECEIVING

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.