COMPLETE

As odd as it may sound, especially considering I would never use a chawan I have collected, I can’t look at a pot without thinking of Rosanjin’s concept that a pot is complete only while being used or in use. To that end and complete with my small inventory of faux flowers, here is an Iga vase complete through its colorful red and white arrangement adding a sense of fait accompli. This rather sturdy, squared up Iga vase was made and fired by Kojima Kenji with some of his tell-tail characteristics including his addition of quirky lugs or ears and a fired surface that at least to my eye is just a bit unlike that of any other working potter. The form is all purpose with some perfect additions of the potter’s marks and a rolled up or over foot that gives a visual and actual sense of stability needed to off set the weight of flowers or a branch, cantilevered off to the side. Though I find Kojima’s pots thoughtful and an excellent blend of form, function and aesthetics, I must admit, this pot with or without flowers real or imagined, is about as complete as they come.