Hello everyone, I hope you are all doing well.
Today, from among the new works by Junpei Kaneshige that were recently taken out of the kiln,
I would like to introduce two recommended pieces that feature exquisite scenery.
These new works by Mr. Junpei are currently being very well received,
and I think the balance between the quality of the clay and the firing intensity is particularly superb this time.
First of all, in Bizen ware, firing intensity and clay quality are inversely proportional.
The more intensely a piece is fired, the more it loses that freshness of the clay that could be called life force.
Conversely, if the firing is too light to preserve the clay quality, it becomes difficult for interesting scenery to appear.
Managing this fine line is the constant struggle of kiln firing, like an acrobat on a tightrope,
but this firing was a great success, with the unruly flames and clay masterfully controlled.
Among the works from this highly successful firing, on our website,
we introduced a sake vessel with a "gentle beauty" featuring stunning scarlet colors and dry sesame glaze,
but in this article, I would like to introduce a sake cup that embodies another facet: "dynamic beauty."
Just as the dry sesame glaze with its gentle beauty was more beautiful than ever,
this black sesame work is also more intense and has gained greater depth than ever before.
Bizen Sake Cup 1
This sake cup is stunning, featuring a bluish dry sesame glaze, yellow sesame glaze, and scorched sesame glaze layered on top.
The character of the clay is also unique, with the iron content appearing to be drawn out by the fire,
appearing as a black kiln change around the foot, and giving the entire surface of the clay a sensuous hue.
Though it is a bit subtle, the underside of the rim is also densely covered in blue sesame glaze,
which looks almost like frost, creating a very interesting contrast with the scorched sesame glaze that evokes the heat of the fire.
Bizen Sake Cup 2
This work is a flat-type piece, which is rare among Mr. Junpei’s sake cups.
While it displays the same scorched sesame and blue sesame glazes from intense firing as the previous piece,
its overall expression is a complete contrast, looking almost wet.
The scorched sesame glaze has a glossy black appearance as if it contains moisture,
and the viscous, light brown clay surface has a smooth, pleasant texture.
It carries the glossy texture produced by intense firing often seen in tea bowls from the Kaneshige family.
(Junpei Kaneshige / Various New Sake Cups)
Bizen Sake Cup 1 size: 6.9cm diameter × 6.8cm diameter × 6.2cm height price: Sold
Bizen Sake Cup 2 size: 8.0cm diameter × 7.9cm diameter × 3.9cm height price: price: Sold
Please contact us below for detailed images of the works.
Tel 0869-67-2210 Fax 0869-67-2220
Email to Kawaguchi Tourakuen (Click to open email screen)