Vase / Bizen / Mori Togaku
Bizen 'Imo' Vase by Mori Togaku
As many Bizen fans know Mori Togaku's kilns are as much part of his brilliant career as are his pots. He's working on a massive 90 meter kiln now outside of Bizen at Samukaze, yet before he established his mountain top studio there he made his first large O-gama (big kiln) kiln in Aioi, Hyogo prefecture. That was in the late 1970s and this imo-potato vase-tokkuri dates to his 1980 kiln firing that was well-documented in a book---some attached photos from that book. The kiln took two years to make--1975-1977--and then Mori(b.1937)went about making pieces to fire; in 1978-79 he made 50 large vats--124cm.tall for some--among all the other works. From Nov.10th to Dec.25th, 1979 the kiln was loaded. On Jan.8th, 1980 the fire was lit in a traditional Shinto ceremony and the kiln was fired continuously until March 2nd. Unloading the kiln started on April 3rd. This piece is from that kiln firing, the only time the kiln was fired. It's very dignified with a warm, pleasing nerikomi marbled 'clay flavor' in orange tones; Mori is extremely particular about the clay he uses. A fine covering of goma-red pine 'sesame' ash is also seen creating lines and defining areas. It has a quiet-serene presence--much like that of Momoyama period Ko-Bizen pieces--and is wonderful for chabana. A museum piece in perfect condition with a signed box, 24cm.tallx14.2, stamped on base, exhibition number also seen there.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
