Vase / Bizen / Mori Togaku
Bizen Vase by Mori Togaku
Bizen potter Mori Togaku(1937-) is already a living legend here in Japan. Born into the famed Mori family, he built his first kiln while still in elementary school. Now, an Okayama Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property, he is working on the finishing stages of his 90 meter anagama! Yes, check that length again, it's not a typo. He plans to fire that kiln in 2011. More on this important Bizen artist can be read in DARUMA magazine issue 19 or on e-yakimono.net. Here is a very rare circa 1962 sculpted vase. It has a strong form/energy and a fine shibui firing. Mori has an aggressive yet refined spirit and it comes out in his works. What strikes me on this vase, besides the form and firing, is the way Mori carved the lines and added cross-markings around the neck to give the piece rhythm; I also find the ishihaze-stone burst a strong focal point. A museum piece perfect for flowers or simply to admire, in perfect condition, signed box, signed on base (his Showa 37/1962 mark) 25.0cm.tall and 15cm.wide. Mori's work is in the Metropolitan Museum in New York City as well as regional and national museums in Japan. He continues to exhibit and was awarded the Japan Ceramic Society Gold Prize in 2001 and the Medal With Purple Ribbon from the Emperor of Japan this year.
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