Chawan / Hagi / Notomi Choun
Hagi Chokudai Chawan by Notomi Choun
This is a rather unique Hagi chawan in that it was made in tandem for the theme of the Imperial Poetry Reading in 1991. Mori or 'forest' was the theme that year (Heisei 3-nen) and we can see a Zen monk wondering off into the distant mori on the front of the chawan. In Hagi it is very rare to see such chokudai (Imperial Poetry Reading theme) chawan. Hagi native Notomi Chouun(1921-1996) made very fine Hagi chawan in his own quiet way and this is a special one of his. He became a potter in 1951 and traveled to many potting centers before establishing his kiln, named O-kazan-gama, in 1967. This chokudai chawan has a rounded form with a light buff toned crackled glaze. It will change quite dramatically with use. I especially like the balance between the quiet body and the really strong kodai(footring) that has a great chirimen(crinkled) kodai and base- something that Notomi was noted for. The kodai is in a takenofushi or bamboo node style. A rare chawan in perfect condition, 9.3cm.tall and 12.5cm.across. The hakogaki reads, 'Mori chokudai chawan, Choun.' It's stamped Choun on the base. The understated traveling monk is a fine metaphor for the journey that we all take.......
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
