KURO (KURO-ORIBE)

Illustrated is a classic black and tinted green glazed kinuta hanaire by Takauchi Shugo. The proportions of this vase are subtle and nuances, slight amount of inward taper to the base echoed in the neck making for an eye pleasing form all around. The black curdled glaze at first glance appears just like a wet Seto-Guro together with a clear ash glaze that has hints of green adding a touch of the dramatic to the surface which has been broken up into four soft planes with areas of spatula work and gentle faceting.  The hakogaki is a bit ambiguous reading only, black vase but I have seen several other examples that read Kuro-Oribe so despite the lack of a clear direction I am operating under the assumption that this implies Kuro-Oribe as well. 

Takauchi Shugo is rather well known for his variations of Oribe so these rich, deep, wet black surfaces round out this oeuvre quite well. Tall and even noble, this form, cloaked in this mysterious surface makes for a wonderful guardian in an alcove, on a desk or shelf and is just waiting to be put to use which in this case is to just look good in the afternoon sun.