Vase / Shigaraki / Watanabe Aiko
Shigaraki Vase by Watanabe Aiko
Unfortunately, there are few female potters in Japan. Some prominent names, of course, have appeared over the years -Ogawa Machiko, Tsuji Kyo, Shigematsu Ayumi, Kohyama Kiyoko, and Tashima Etsuko are some of the more prominent female potters working today. However, with the exception of Kohyama and Tsuji, there are very few anagama (underground chamber, wood burning kiln) potters in Japan. Moreover, there were no such female potters working in Iga, an old kiln site that neighbors Shigaraki (the two kiln sites are literally cousins). Of course, such was the case until Watanabe Aiko (1971- )'s appearance. Originally from Osaka, she graduated from Saga University of Art (like Kako Katsumi) studying painting, and later fell in love with the anagama of Shigaraki. Aiko-san built her first anagama kiln in Iga in 2001. She built her second kiln in 2003 and has been getting greater media attention as of late, being one of several young potters featured in the magazine Tojiro's "Anagama Feature." Here is a Shigaraki cylindrical vase with a fine firing--not too overbearing--that will highlight the beauty of any flower. The 'log form' is very natural and exudes a strong, silent character. In perfect condition with a signed box, 25cm.tallx12,signed on base.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
