Vase
Koinuma Michio Dotaku-Bell 'Vase'
In a past issue of Japan's leading ceramic magazine Honoho Geijutsu, Michio Koinuma was named one the top 100 potters in Japan (see the complete list at e-yakimono.net/html/honoho-rankings-2004.html). That is quite an honor considering the tens of thousands of professional potters here. Koinuma(1936-) is based in Mashiko but his creations are far from Mingei; they are clay works of highest artistic merit; another past issue of HG--issue 21, 1988--had a feature called 'The Appearance of the Next Generation' that focused on five ceramic artists, those being Kaneko Jun, Takagi Seirei, Morino Taimei, Wada Morihiro and Koinuma. Koinuma has essayed some amazing work--shown worldwide, some based on ancient bronzes and Haniwa figures and some totally his own. The work shown here is of course based on ancient bronze bell forms called dotaku. It has a crusty dark green-gray surface that gives it a feeling of antiquity. Near the base you'll see one spot where a small 1.7cm.patch of glaze peeled off, also giving the piece an ancient look, no concern whatsoever. In excellent condition with a signed box, 29.5cm.tall and 15cm.wide, there is a number on the base meaning it was shown at a past exhibition. A single flower.....
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
