Though slightly on the small size, every chance encounter
with the Hishoku Nanban-yaki pottery of Sakauchi Ensen is an enjoyable
encounter. This vase is based on a classic, old school wooden kinuta, mallet
and the proportions of neck to base work well and are well suited for any
impressed use from fan holder to traditional flower vase. Among Sakauchi’s
fancifully painted landscapes, this particular piece, well the firing stands
out as a bit more unusual as there is a significant array of rich, deep iron
red on one side, with rivulets of color running down the base of the piece as
well as around 60% of the flattish lip area at the very top, the remainder
flanked in green. Though I don’t necessarily consider this effect rare, it is
surely serendipity when it occurs. These
variations add a visual punch to an already intriguing and unusual landscape
painted from carefully chosen clay, varying woods and what must have been a
less than simple firing schedule. If possible, I would love to hear the
explanation of each milestone toward this surface and exactly how he got there,
one firing heaped on top of another, as 3rd Force maintains, “the process is
continuous”.
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