ALL-NATURAL

Illustrated is an old (?) mentori-kakeire by Kohyama Yasuhisa likely dating from the 1970s or 80s. Though early work, to some degree it doesn’t look all that different from some of his later work from form, technique and surface. Like some older pieces that have been around the block a time or two, this vase has a few tiny flea-bites around the extreme of the mouth which have been repaired with a pewter finish lacquer that clean up the edge but doesn’t quite distract as much from the continuity of the surface. I really love the incised channel that separates the body from the mouth/ neck area and perhaps one of my favorite features is the bright, all-natural fired clay color that seems to glow or just beam. It is always the simplest things or details that get to me and the rich color just beckons to me, “forget the exterior, come explore the riches hidden within”.