TOASTY

Illustrated is a rather toasty warm Shino chawan by Hori Ichiro that I will admit, surprised me just a bit upon its arrival. In the original pictures this chawan looked rather nice but quite white and certainly lacking the warmth that it actually exudes. Expecting a more or less white Shino chawan as I began to unpack this bowl it became immediately clear that this bowl had a rather appealing and welcoming surface which works in perfect harmony with the form. The meandering lip and rustic, almost rough kodai add real flavor to this chawan beyond the rich, orangy tinted surface. As I mentioned, the bowl has a warmth that many Shino chawan only aspire to and wish for, the tone and smoothness of the surface adds a rather comforting tactile quality making it easy to handle and appreciate the piece all the more. I am not trying to oversell the bowl but it does have a standout quality where depth, warmth and curb appeal all blend together to spotlight exactly why Hori Ichiro's work have added an untold amount to a tradition that goes back well over four centuries with work like this it is clear there is no end in sight.