Gold and Platinum Painted Kagutsuchi Kiritate "Ra" Black

This is a new gold and platinum-glazed "Kagutsuchi" cylindrical "Ra" vessel in black by Toru Ichikawa, who made a striking debut after studying under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. It is a highly original and exceptional piece, characteristic of Ichikawa-sensei, who brings his endless stream of ideas to life through the supreme medium of clay. For this work, he has further evolved the intense *kairagi* (crackle glaze) of his Kagutsuchi series, named after the fire god Kagutsuchi from Japanese mythology. By combining a fine-grained glaze known as "Kagutsuchi-ki" with a smooth, voluminous glaze in a patchwork-like composition, he has created a world of incredible delicacy. The lizard-skin-like black glaze features scales that transform randomly into gold, creating a landscape that possesses both the splendor and mystery unique to ceramics. The "Ra" indigo glaze, which has a three-dimensional, oil-painting-like quality, is exceptionally vivid, creating a stunning contrast with the black glaze in both texture and color. Titled "Kiritate"—another name for a cylindrical *mukozuke* (side dish bowl)—it is light and easy to use, making it suitable not only as a *mukozuke* but also as a small rocks glass or tea cup. Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for delivery).
Diameter 8.3cm x Diameter 8.2cm x Height 7.3cm Toru Ichikawa was born in Tokyo. He began his apprenticeship under Ryuichi Kakurezaki in June 2011 and became independent in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, in January 2015.