The Beauty of Clay and Fire - Two Shigaraki Tokkuri by Contemporary Masters

[sabi]

Good morning NMB and Happy Friday!

 

On offer today are two stunning sake bottles that perfectly capture the mystique of intense, long-duration wood firing.  

 

The first is a piece by Furutani Kazuya.  The son of Furutani Michio, a legend whose untimely passing left a massive void in the world of wood firing, one which his son has since filled and then some. 

 

This bottle displays an almost unbelievable range of firing effects, a trademark of the family who literally wrote the book on modern anagama firing.  As his late father said, if the kiln doesn’t fire the way you want it to, tear it down and start over - a collection of bricks, as it were. 

 

Kazuya is based in Shigaraki and categorizes his wares as such, however this work is what comes to mind when we think of Iga. The dark, scorched body due to the immense heat and long firing duration, thick ash glaze deposits ranging from moss green, to emerald and even some blue tones mixed in. Several large “dragonfly eyes” have formed where the glaze pools after running down the body, a highly sought after characteristic. 

 

This bottle measures 13cm tall by 10cm wide and holds a generous portion due to the bulbous form. In perfect condition and comes with its original box, cloth and paperwork as shown.  

 

 

Next up, a rare work by one of Japan's most groundbreaking potters.  Kiyoko Koyama paved the way for women, who were traditionally not deemed worthy to participate in wood firing due to its physical demands.  Her work is strong and dynamic, a reflection of her own personality that required the utmost resolve to achieve success.  There are pages upon pages of information about her, and I recommend anyone interested in this piece, or Japanese pottery in general to do some reading on this once in a lifetime individual.  

 

This bottle is classic Shigaraki throughout, beautiful clay flavor is draped in a stunning array of natural ash glaze from the intense firing process, accented by areas of scorching - black, gray and purple tones where the heat became nearly unbearable.  This piece features a wonderful kiln effect on the inner lip, a crack that formed during the firing process (the 4th image of the piece) was subsequently filled in by molten ash glaze - a natural kintsugi, if you will.  

 

A perfect size for its application, this bottle measures 14.5cm tall by 9.5cm wide and includes its original signed box and paperwork.

 

 

Asking $220 each including shipping to the USA, or $400 for both.  International buyers please contact me for a quote.  Payment via PayPal friends and family is strongly preferred, but will accept Venmo if necessary.

 

Thanks for looking!

 

Edited January 23 by sabi

[sabi]

Koyama Kiyoko is sold, Furutani Kazuya still available. 

[sabi]

Both sold. 

Edited January 25 by sabi