Bizen ware spouted bowl

This Bizen *katakuchi* (spouted bowl) is by Takashi Soga, an artist who challenges the beauty of the past by recreating the same environment in which ancient Bizen ware was fired. To replicate the style of the Old Bizen period, he avoids the use of firebricks and other modern materials, firing his pieces in a kiln that defies contemporary common sense regarding thermal efficiency. As a result, the work exhibits a superb *tsuchiaji* (texture of the clay) that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches the quality of Old Bizen. A defining characteristic of this piece is its rich *keshiki* (scenery), born from the reaction between the iron content in the clay, *goma* (ash glaze), and straw, reminiscent of Old Bizen from the Muromachi period. Parts of the vessel, particularly those that faced the fire, show a persimmon-like brownish-red *yohen* (kiln transformation), which creates a striking contrast with the refined, subdued clay base and never fails to captivate the viewer. Despite its deeply austere appearance, the piece is lightweight and easy to use, reflecting the artist’s dedication to crafting objects that fit modern life while extracting the essence of Old Bizen beauty. Paper box
Diameter 15.5cm x 14.9cm x Height 7.3cm Takashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984. He studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his own kiln in Kuku-i, Bizen City, in 2012. He became independent and began his pottery career in 2013.