Kyoto Shino

I guess when you think about it, Shino and Kyoto don’t necessarily spring into mind at the same time but so many styles and traditions are being undertaken vast distances from their origins, it is just the way things are. This shimmery Yohen Shino guinomi was made in Kyoto by Nakamura Kotaro and has a rather pleasant form that is reminiscent of larger chawan with a perfectly proportioned foot that has a slight hexagonal flair to it. The guinomi has areas of thick Shino applied over a thinner base of glaze while much of the interior and exterior are blanketed in an iridescent sheen which is unmistakable even in dim, low light. I should also mention the lip is highlighted by a wonderful blue-grey collar that is also tinged with areas of dark, deep black for another eye-catching detail on this small little gem. This was my first actual encounter with Nakamura Kotaro’s work and certainly makes me look forward to seeing more, a nice big chawan would be most welcome.