Hello everyone. Today, as in the previous entry, I would like to introduce a new work by Masashiro Aiga.
This piece represents a new challenge following a long silence of trial and error;
it is a magnificent "crane-neck" (tsurukubi) sake bottle imbued with Aiga-sensei's signature style.
While it features *sangiri* (reduction-fired coloration) and *marunuke* (circular unglazed patches) reminiscent of the famous "Toshiwasure" piece,
Aiga-sensei has shaped these patches using the intense, rocky-reef-like *sangiri* that is his specialty,
resulting in a powerful landscape that looks as if a tide of white and yellow colors is rushing in.
Generally speaking, when it comes to Bizen crane-neck bottles, many aim for the *hidaski* (fire-cord) finish inspired by antique Bizen found at sea,
but it is precisely because Aiga-sensei holds antique Bizen in such high regard that he challenges the towering heights of the crane-neck form with a landscape uniquely his own.
He has also chosen a landscape of his own for the red seen in the *marunuke* of the body,
opting not for a soft red, but for the intense, reddish-purple of a thoroughly fired piece that is so characteristic of Aiga-sensei.
"If I were to take on the same work as a potter from the antique Bizen era, what would I do?"
Perhaps such a question crossed his mind during his long silence.
I will also be listing an Ibe sake cup in tonight's 8:00 PM update, so please be sure to take a look.
The rich, unglazed clay texture is a hard red, fired to the limit.
Traces of the spatula used for smoothing after forming also influence the *sangiri*.
The thick, powerful neck is like that of a veteran general.
It is always a mystery to see the wet-looking texture of Aiga's *sangiri*, despite how thoroughly it has been fired.
Between the clay texture and the *sangiri*, black hues from iron seepage appear, containing various changes within the intensity.
(Masashiro Aiga/Bizen Tea Bowl - Storage box in production)
size: diameter 10.3cm x diameter 10.2cm x height 16.8cm price: Sold
For detailed images of the work, please contact us below.
Tel 0869-67-2210 Fax 0869-67-2220
Email to Kawaguchi Tourakuen (click to open email screen)