Hello everyone, how are you all doing?
Yesterday and today, the Bizen region has seen a dramatic rainy season scene, with sudden bouts of driving rain that keep starting and stopping.
It cleared up in the evening, but then the temperature soared, leaving me drenched in sweat.
Is this finally the arrival of full-blown summer?
Now then, today I went to the studio of Takashi Baba to pick up some completed wooden storage boxes.
The number of Bizen pottery objects and statues in his garden has been gradually increasing since I first met him, but today I noticed quite a few very large new pieces, so I couldn't help but take some pictures.
This is an ultra-large object that was also featured in his solo exhibition. The base has an "ash-covered" (haikaburi) finish, and the whole piece displays "yellow sesame" (ki-goma) markings—unmistakably Bizen ware.
What do you think? The title is "Advent" (Kourin).
It is a stunning, surprising object, befitting Mr. Baba, who continues to unveil unique series such as his "Earth Vessel" collection.
Despite the title "Advent," the piece has an atmosphere that almost makes you feel as if you might ascend to heaven if you were to embrace it.
I felt no sense of compromise—no "this is impossible" or "I should simplify this because it can't be fired"—only the impression that the creativity welling up in his mind was reflected in the clay with 100% perfection.