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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 chawan tea ceremony bowl is imbued with the organic
quality for which Ikai Yuichi's works are widely renowned. It is
done in an ash glaze of pine and rice straw saturated with copper,
thus resulting in a range of green hues (rokuyū-sai). The body
is irregularly formed with the aid of a branch, yet remains perfectly
balanced on its footring. When filled with the verdant color of
whipped matcha, the bowl becomes the moss-covered floor of some deep
forest illuminated by shifting sunlight.
A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by
the artist. Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.
A fukusa (display cloth) is included.
See Ikai Yuichi's
Mitsukoshi Gallery exhibition catalog for more from his recent collections
special care instructions
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