Hello everyone, how are you all doing?
For today's update, as the second installment of our Masterpiece Ceramics Exhibition,
we are pleased to introduce a Bizen round plate by Kei Fujiwara.
This piece clearly exhibits the characteristics of his later years, such as the texture of the clay and the flavor of the "yellow sesame" (ki-goma) glaze.
What is particularly noteworthy is the sharp, crisply fired, tasteful yellow sesame.
It bears a striking resemblance to the yellow sesame on the square plate by Toyo Kaneshige that we introduced the other day.
Regarding the nature of the sesame glaze, it becomes almost gelatinous during firing in the kiln,
and where it accumulates and thickens, it forms golden pools.
Both works have this golden gradation layered over a base of ochre-colored sesame.
This sesame glaze with its varied thickness, combined with further nuances like scorching and exposed clay body,
results in the highly three-dimensional, deeply shaded sesame finish seen in this work.
Although the two pieces were produced at quite different times, they are remarkably similar,
and one can feel a connection befitting these two close friends who collaborated so often.
This yellow sesame glaze was also passed down to his son, Yu Fujiwara.
The foot is wide and tall, showing the hallmark style of Kei Fujiwara.
(Kei Fujiwara / Bizen 8-sun Plate, size: diameter 24.3cm x 24.1cm x height 5.3cm, ¥150,000)
For detailed images or other inquiries about this work, please contact us at the details below.
Tel 0869-67-2210 Fax 0869-67-2220
Email Kawaguchi Tourakuen (Click to open your email client)