Bizen-yaki spouted bowl

This is a Bizen katakuchi (spouted bowl) by Takashi Soga, who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which old Bizen ware was fired. To replicate the style of the old Bizen era, he avoids the use of firebricks and other modern materials, firing the pieces in a kiln where modern concepts of thermal efficiency simply do not apply. As a result, the work displays an exquisite earthen quality that transcends modern aesthetics, approaching that of old Bizen. The piece is characterized by the rich, complex scenery—created by the reaction between iron content in the clay, ash glaze (goma), and straw—reminiscent of Muromachi-period Bizen ware. On parts of the vessel, particularly the side that faced the fire, there is a reddish-brown, persimmon-glaze-like kiln transformation, which creates a contrast with the understated earthen base, keeping the viewer endlessly captivated. Despite its remarkably austere appearance, it is light and easy to use, reflecting the artist’s commitment to crafting pieces that fit contemporary life while distilling the beauty of old Bizen. Paper box
15.4cm (diameter) x 14.7cm (diameter) x 7.2cm (height) Takashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984. He studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his kiln in Kugu, Bizen City, in 2012. He became independent and began his career as a ceramic artist in 2013.