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Kyoto native Ikai Yuichi received training under
the late Shimizu Uichi (1926-2004) who, in 1985, was awarded the title
of Living National Treasure for his outstanding work in ceramic
making. And it is from his sensei that Mr. Ikai learned
the secrets to coaxing subtle hues and fluid effects from the oldest
and most rudimentary of all glazes - hai, or ash.
Now an established ceramic artist in his own
right, Ikai Yuichi has developed a unique approach to pottery making
over the years: that is, to intervene as little as possible between nature and the
work itself. As a result, any sort of mechanization to his craft is minimized,
or avoided altogether, at every step of the creative process. His glazes are additive-free, made from a simple
mixture of water and straw, oak, or cedar ash. The clays he uses are grainy
and unprocessed, and forming tools are often just the broken end of a tree branch. Imperfection and asymmetry are emphasized
over mechanical precision or any contrived embellishments.
This austere piece takes its name from the two characters for ash
(hai) and pottery (tō),
and both are equally represented. Unglazed
patches of sandy earth blend and fade into lustrous plains of vitrified
cedar ash. Resonating
with Zen simplicity, it embodies Mr. Ikai's pottery making
philosophy completely.
See Ikai Yuichi's
Takashimaya Gallery exhibition for more works from his recent
collection.
A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by
the artist. Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.
special care instructions |
