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Haikaburi means literally "ash
covered." It is a technique which involves placing pots in
or around the ash pit of a kiln that has already been fired for several hours.
As more wood is burned, ash builds up to the face of the pot and fuses
with the clay body. With a failure rate of well over 60 percent,
it is a very hit-and-miss technique, but pots that can survive the
grueling conditions around the pit display an unrefined energy like no other
type of ceramic.
This yōhen haikaburi tea ceremony bowl by Wada Tozan is one of those proud
survivors. It was fired at
Oizumi-gama - the Wada family's noborigama
climbing kiln. At 1,250°C (2,300°F) degrees, it was placed in the ash
pit and blasted with wave after wave of red pine and cedar embers,
each one adding another layer of texture and color until the bowl
became buried. What arose from the ashes is a true masterpiece,
blessed with incidental details which could never be reproduced exactly. The
face of the bowl (shōmen) is a fluid collage of amber streams and
ocher speckles; the rear is encrusted with pine embers now frozen in
time. Its most distinctive feature, however, is the azure pool
of vitrified ash inside the tea pool.
The bowl is formed from a grainy clay and has an irregular, oval shape
which fits cupped hands for receiving tea. It exudes a raw
energy that is inescapable, naturally drawing viewers in closer to
ponder the dynamics of its creation.
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 Wada Tozan's
Daimaru Gallery Exhibition pictorial
for works from his recent collection.
special care instructions |
