Today's update features the latest work from Toru Ichikawa, who studied under Ryuichi Kakizaki before making a spectacular debut: the Gold-Glazed Katakuchi, Kagutsuchi "Ra" Ki.
It is a work of exceptional ingenuity, characteristic of Ichikawa, who gives form to his ceaselessly overflowing ideas through the supreme medium of clay.
The latest "Ra" series further evolves the boiling, glaze-like effect created by the intense kairagi (crackle glaze) seen in his Kagutsuchi series, combining this with a simmering gold glaze and a deep, clear indigo.
Changing the title from the Japanese fire god "Kagutsuchi" to the Egyptian sun god "Ra," this series has become even more vibrant and challenging.
As if to contrast with the magma-like, boiling Kagutsuchi gold, indigo glaze has been boldly poured over the piece, creating a riot of gold and blue that is reminiscent of the golden mask of an ancient Egyptian king.
True to its title "Ra," the work brings to mind Egyptian blue, said to be humanity's oldest pigment, splendidly reproducing the "lapis lazuli/indigo" hue considered the most sacred in ancient Egypt.
The grains of the boiling Kagutsuchi gold are finely detailed and extraordinarily beautiful, possessing the nobility of a royal artifact.
Though it is a three-legged katakuchi, its form is unlike anything seen before; perhaps, when combined with its mythical name, it is the most avant-garde katakuchi in history.
(Toru Ichikawa / Gold-Glazed Katakuchi, Kagutsuchi "Ra" Ki, with signed box)
size: 12.5cm diameter x 11.8cm diameter x 12.8cm height price: Sold
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