Yōhen-kin Shino Vase by Suzuki Tomio

Description

Shino pottery was first fired during the Momoyama era (1568-1603) at kilns in Minō, and its appearance marked a dramatic shift in the evolution of Japanese ceramic art.  Its distinctive pin-holed texture attracted the eyes of tea ceremony practitioners of the day who soon incorporated shino-yaki into the evolving art of chanoyu.

To further enhance shino's tactile appeal, Suzuki Tomio approaches every unglazed pot as a landscape architect would an undeveloped plot of earth.  It first requires slow, thoughtful sculpting before anything is lain upon it.  As a result, his clay creations are renowned for their terraced surfaces, ridges, and winding vistas.

This striking vase is done in the artist's signature yōhen-kin (golden) shino glaze.  It is, quite simply, a tactile masterpiece.  Deeply cut furrows and facets over a glistening terrain of crackled feldspar, beautifully rippling on the front, naturally invite further exploration around the work.

The body is modeled after a te-oké, or the cypress hand pails used by rice farmers to carry water to their fields, and this unique design makes for quite a versatile vessel for any kind of flower arrangement.  Long stemmed flowers are placed in the back and supported by the handle.  Short stemmed types are arranged at the front.  One turn to its opposite side and the mood of the piece changes completely.  As an interior piece, this vase makes a strong impression all on its own.

Suzuki Tomio's shino pottery is held in private collections around the world and, in 2011, was acquired by the Philadelphia Museum of Art for display in their East Asian Art collection.

A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by the artist.  Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.

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