Takiguchi Kazuo
Sennin (Mt. Hermit) Mouse Kogo by Takiguchi Kazuo
The story goes like this: desires for riches and material wealth have bogged down our souls and limited our potential, we have become slaves to the almighty dollar, we attempt to calculate life and the vast unknown universe. Yet, some, like this sennin-mountain-hermit-monk-wandering poet (mouse) have risen above such mundane affairs, and as such is the master of all, and nothing. He has conquered economics as he stands on his battery-operated calculator wearing a sly smirk and a long robe whilst leaning on his staff. Inside, conquered desires for jewels and fancy cars are kept in perpetual darkness (stars dot the sides), only released when the lid is lifted, or hopefully when a piece of incense is taken out and placed on coals. Takiguchi Kazuo (1953-) is a Kyoto-based ceramic artist with great flair and obvious talent. He has a large following here and his exhibitions always do well---abroad as well (New York). In rankings of the most important/influential ceramic artists of the day (Honoho Geijutsu) he is always in the top ten. He makes very sculptural forms as well as deftly painted functional wares. The kogo is 5.7cm.tall, 6.5cm.long and 5cm.wide, with a signed box, signed 'wa' on base. This piece is from Takiguchi's 'Essays in Idleness' series and is, like all his work, one-of-a-kind and never to be made again.
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