Chawan / Shino / Okuiso Eiroku
E-Shino Chawan by Okuiso Eiroku
Kukuri, Kani, Okaya, and Ohira are the names of places in Gifu prefecture where the classic Shino wares of the late 16th C. were fired; the greatest kiln being that of Mutabora. The relationship between Shino and the Way of Tea has basically continued on to this very day. Of course there was a lapse in the Meiji period with a great revival beginning in the 1930s. Some grand masters from that time have left their mark on the potting world, Kato Tokuro and Arakawa Toyozo being the 'gods.' The second wave saw other names rise with one being the late great Okuiso Eiroku(1930-1987). The famed writer Hayashiya Seizo wrote many essays about Okuiso praising his work, his writings, and the way he fired his o-gama (large kiln). Okuiso was a great potter and scholar who wrote books on how to create Shino in the classical way. At times even Tokuro would pay him a visit carrying a large bottle of sake. One can instantly see the same power in their chawan. Rarely do Okuiso's chawan appear---one reason being the loss factor he faced. For one exhibition it took five years to collect enough works! He was a chawan master par excellence. You have to hold this large chawan to understand that but try your best from the photos. Notice the large irregular form--it feels substantial in the hands--like a Tokuro chawan---it has sparse underglaze markings which add character as does the hi-iro. The clay is the finest mogusa and the strong kodai is full of personality. On the base you'll also find two superficial kamakizu or 'kiln crack'---this is part of the all-so-important process and is a 'landscape' on Japanese pottery and does not affect the work. You'll also notice yubi-ato or finger impression where Okuiso held the chawan while applying the thick feldspar clay. In excellent condition with a fine signed box which is placed inside a black lacquer box---that is how much Okuiso prized this chawan, mark etched on base, 10.6cm.tall and 13.2cm.across.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
