WHEAT/ CHAFF

There is something that is just pure magic where Hirosaki Hiroya has based much of his work on Sung Dynasty hakuji, pure white porcelain where the simple, abstracted repoussé style floral design just sings across the surface. This particular vase has a few additional features that add to the overall presence of the vase form from the pieced foot ring to the double stepped mouth, both adding to the pot rather than distracting from its purity. Though much of Hirosaki’s work is quite simple in concept and execution, the skillful use of a strong, resonant form and design that is distilled to the least amount of detail is honestly about as complex as it gets. How does a potter create a pot that is aware of its every detail while having removed all the superfluous elements while maintaining a strong and long-term conversation with the viewer? I wish I could answer that question but this ability is what separates the wheat from the chaff, so to speak and it is obvious that Hirosaki Hiroya knew exactly how to solve that conundrum.