NOT A CLOUD IN SIGHT

A very good friend, who I share a passion for pottery and Tsukigata Nahiko with, got my wife and I a very nice Xmas gift. We have been aware of the gift for over a week and it finally arrived today. Illustrated is a large wood carved panel by Tsukigata Nahiko which loosely translated says; "no clouds for many miles" (banri mu-un). I have seen these panels in a number of books and catalogues over the years, but owning one was not necessarily something that I thought would happen. It is quite large at just over 90cm long, 40 cm wide and about 5cm thick. It is deeply relief carved which includes a finely rendered facsimile of one of his seals adjacent to the last kanji. It is a masterful and powerful work in person with the characters seemingly in perpetual motion across the panel. Once again, I am reminded, it is great to have friends and it is the friendship that continues to be more valuable than "the stuff".

"Friendship is one mind in two bodies."  Mencius (372-289 BCE)

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Happy New Year to everyone in every time zone and country. I hope the coming year is a joyous and prosperous year across the board and remember to make easy to fulfill New Year's resolutions and if you are going to drink, drink responsibly. Kampai, akemashite omedetou!

Illustrated is a very nice Iga tokkuri by Kojima Kenji accompanied by two seiji guinomi, the smaller guinomi by Wakao Kei (b.1967) and the larger is by Uraguchi Masayuki (b. 1964).

OGUCHI TSUBO

Illustrated is a phenomenal and classically inspired Tokoname tsubo by Takeuchi Kimiaki (1948-2011). The form and surface look as though it was made six centuries ago at the height of the Tokaname medieval tradition but is in fact a modern reworking of the ideal made by a modern potter. Takeuchi Kimiaki, studied with Ezaki Issei who was one of the essential component for the resurgence of  Tokoname pottery in modern Japan. Though Takeuchi is well known for his use of "splashed" ash on pots, especially platters, this pot has a natural surface, covered in running translucent green ash, the result of exceptional placement in his kiln and the intense atmosphere created by wood firing pots; the slightly deforming lip stands testament to the heat and ferocity within his kiln. This wonderful, timeless and classical tsubo also stands testament to the teaching of Ezaki and the dedication and skill of one of modern Tokoname's finest potters; Takeuchi Kimiaki.

MELTING SNOW

A friend of mine is a rather astute and veracious collector of fine Hagi chadogu and in particular the works of Miwa Kyuwa and Miwa Kyusetsu. His collection of Hagi ware, though not large is comprised of a number of Miwa chawan and mizusashi that run from exceptional to master works of the art. The pieces in his collection by Miwa Kyuwa are subtle, reserved and extraordinary examples of chadogu, while the pots by Kyusetsu (Jusetsu) are bold, powerful works of art that act as a counterpoint to his older brothers works. The works of the Miwa brothers covers the span of the 20th century from the traditional idiom of Hagi, the post-war developments to the advent of the Shira-Hagi and haikaburi techniques pioneered by the two Ningen Kokuho of Hagi.

Illustrated is a wonderful example of a large Hagi chawan made by Miwa Kyusetsu XI (now Jusetsu) in either 2000 or 2001. It is one of those quintessential chawan that only Kyusetsu is capable of producing with a vivid keshiki that evokes the atmosphere of melting snow in late winter. The vivid kairagi crawling is accented with black slip peering out from underneath the Shira-Hagi surface with a large area that has blushed pink along one side which spreads onto the obverse of the chawan. The surface compliments the strong classical form set atop a kodai only a master is capable of producing. Though often imitated, no one has come close to imitating the distinct qualities and characteristics of one of the finest Hagi potters in history, Miwa Kyusetsu XI.

SEASONS GREETINGS

I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone the Happiest of Holidays and Season's Greeting around the world. With a little luck if we all wish for the same thing this holiday season, next year we can all experience a little more Peace on Earth by spreading good will to all, from locally to globally.

THERE AND BACK AGAIN, AGAIN

So, we spent Wednesday on the road making my way down to Wesleyan Potters in Middletown, CT to pick up a few pots which had been around a while. It happens, somehow, they had just not found a home. The trek however, was a case of multi-tasking as I was also to deliver a dinnerware commission along the way just in time for the holidays and saving me the effort of packing it all up and shipping it out by UPS. As usual, the trip took us close enough to Guilford that we had lunch at Nick's, yes cheeseburgers with well done onion rings and then a stop at a wine store we used to frequent and lastly a cannoli run. Our last stop in the area was to Meriano's Bake Shoppe ("leave the gun, take the cannoli") where we picked up a box of cannoli for the holidays. These cannoli remind me of the old style care and attention from a bakery like where I grew up, Danny's Bakery in Plattsburgh (NY), friends of the family. All in all, a nice trip on a sunny and sometimes partly cloudy day that serves to be the last of my pottery business prior to Christmas. It was a good way to spend a day.

SAKAKURA SHINBEI XV ON IPTV

Here is a short video of Hagi potter, Sakakura Shinbei XV that is part of a TV special on the potter from NHK Television. The Sakakura family has been making pottery for a long while and are a dynasty in Hagi, headed by the XV in recent times. His great-grandfather XII (1881-1960) is among my favorite Hagi potters and his work has that classic and timeless quality about it. Sakakura Shinbei XV is well known for his large handbuilt pieces as well as his tea oriented works, works that follow in the traditional footsteps of the previous generations of the Sakakura family.

A SAD DAY

Our thoughts and prayers goes out to all affected by this tragic and senseless shooting in Newtown, CT today.

HOW LITTLE WE KNOW

Having decorated a number of terra cotta pots, next came time to add the detail by means of sgraffito . This is a mostly an auto-pilot process and at times my mind contemplates matter large and small, well mostly small to be honest. Out of this came a segment from a favorite movie of mine, I am not sure why, it is just the odd way my brain works at assembling associations. The song is "How Little We Know" as sung by Lauren Bacall with  Hoagy Carmichael on piano. The video comes from the 1944 Bogart and Bacall classic; TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT. However I got there, it is just a perfect interlude for a busy Wednesday 12/12/12.

FLOURISH

Over the 20th century, there have been a number of ceramic artists who were so much more than that. Working across a variety of art and craft, people such as Takeuchi Seiho, Kitaoji Rosanjin, Kawakita Handeishi, Arakawa Toyozo and Tsukigata Nahiko  created works in ceramics, bronze, painting/calligraphy and lacquer. Today when I think of a multi-discipline potter, I think of Tsujimura Shiro (b.1947) with his wonderful pottery across a breathe of traditions and styles and his creative approach to calligraphy and painting. Many of Tsujimura's paintings have a rather evocative, contemplative atmosphere to them with traits reminiscent of the Momoyama era suiboku painters.  Like his pottery, the ink works of Tsujimura have a visceral impact and an introspective beauty to them.

Illustrated is a wonderful photo of the multi-talented artist/potter, Tsujimura Shiro "painting" large scale calligraphies at an exhibition at Yanagi Oriental Fine Arts in New York. The photo was taken by passionate collector and President of the Japanese Art Society Of America, Susan Peters. The exhibit showcased Tsujimura's pottery and was accompanied by his shoga (callagraphic art) and in the background of the photo you can see two large vases by Tsujimura. With a bold and instant flourish the calligraphy appears though it was roughly 65 years in the making.