Tsubo / Bizen / Isezaki Mitsuru
Bizen Tsubo by Isezaki Mitsuru
In the average kitchen in medieval Japan there were three essential ceramic items known as Sanshu no Shinki (three treasured wares, a pun on Sanshu no Jingi, the three treasures of the Imperial Family). The three items were the large wide-mouthed vat (kame), the smaller narrow-necked jar (tsubo) and the mortar or grating bowl (suribachi). These three are no longer the necessity they used to be but then again maybe they are. To live with such simple and deep beauty amongst the IT revolution is a grounding element. It helps us to reflect on the gifts of nature and life itself. Here is a fine Bizen tsubo by Isezaki Mitsuru. For more about this wonderful potter please search this site. The 'planet' here is unglazed and all the colors come from the rice paddy clay and pine ash. It has a pleasing patch of goma-sesame all around the upper areas and that turns into tobi-goma ('flying sesame') on the back. Superb tsuchi-aji-clay-flavor is on the middle areas as well as bluish gray flashes where charcoal (either natural from the pine wood or introduced in the kiln at the end of the firing, called sangiri) can also be seen. A very Zen type work in perfect condition with a signed box, 20.8cm.tall and 20.3cm.across, circa 1973.
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