Bizen Yunomi

Shuroku Harada studied antique Bizen ware.
He was a student of ceramics researcher Matasaburo Katsura.
The knowledge he gained forms the foundation of his pottery style.
He had not fired his kiln in recent years.
This yunomi features abundant natural ash glaze, giving it the appearance of having been glazed.
The intense flames produce a natural black color through the reaction between the clay components and the fire.
He had his own unique method for forming the vessel.
He built the body by stacking coils of clay.
Finally, he used "shinogi" spatula cuts to complete the design.
The inner edges feature subtle cuts intended to improve usability rather than for design, a detail that helps reveal his approach to pottery.

He was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1941.
He became a potter in 1969.
In 1975, he became a disciple of Matasaburo Katsura and studied antique Bizen ware.
He passed away in 2024.