KOHIKI BAMBOO

Illustrated is a classic kohiki take-zu hanaire by Takahashi Samon that stradles the line between being simple and complex at the same time. The form of this vase is well articulated and clearly imitates the nature of bamboo and then this complex, cracked surface is put over the clay that creates a frenetic landscape of fissues, texture, colors and movement. Specializing in kohiki, Takahashi Samon has used a relatively common ceramic archetype and gone beyond form to present a balanced presentation of visual aesthetics and function for the everyday, well prehaps best for special occasions. Using this group of photos I intended to help build a perspective of what the pot looks like in person but was unable to capture the glistening, even glimmering surface as the sunlight illuminates and refracts through the glaze. In the future if at all possible I would like to rephotograph this vase using sunlight and shadow to help flesh out the hidden nature of the piece that is trapped just inside the surface.