Hello everyone.
I am relieved that Mr. Yasuda's online solo exhibition was held successfully.
To everyone who viewed and purchased pieces, thank you very much.
He is an artist with very sincere intentions, and I believe that sentiment is reflected in his work.
I hope to introduce new works again in the future.
Now, for today's new arrival update, we had a kiln opening for Mr. Kosuke Kaneshige, and I would like to introduce one of the pieces: a "flattish sake bottle" (henko tokkuri).
Works from the Kaneshige lineage have a very loyal following, and the most popular among them are undoubtedly the "yohen" (kiln-transmutation) pieces.
These require a firing process that achieves conflicting elements: a soft, mellow scarlet "nuke" (clear glaze-free area) and a crisp, blackened, ash-covered surface.
For the Kaneshige lineage, which places great importance on the quality of the clay, it seems customers are looking for the peak of kiln-transmutation that clears both of these conditions.
I believe this piece is one that has met those incredibly difficult criteria.
The "soft scarlet nuke," which is particularly challenging, is exceptionally well-executed.
It is a depth of clay quality that simply cannot be reached by just firing it until it is burnt black and crisp.
I believe that this scarlet color can only be expressed because of the soil—delicate, sensitive, and fragile.
As for the form, it is naturally true to Mr. Kosuke's style, with a sharp and crisp finish.
For reference, I have posted a flattish sake bottle by Toyo Kaneshige.
What do you all think when you look at them?
Even though they are both flattish sake bottles with similar line patterns, don't the impressions differ completely?
To me, Toyo's work conveys gentleness and elegance.
Conversely, Kosuke's work conveys strength and magnificence.
I was truly surprised that even with the same type of bottle, there could be such a shift in impression.
Establishing one's own identity within a history and set of techniques passed down from father to child—I think this is an extremely difficult task.
Especially within the immense, torrent-like flow of the Kaneshige lineage.
I feel as though I saw, in this sake bottle, Mr. Kosuke's resolve to carry the "Kaneshige" name.