H13.4 x Dia20.8 cm
The acclaimed Japanese potter Furutani Michio was known for his Shigaraki wares that reflected the heart of yakimono pottery in Japan. His skill was unparalleled in constructing form and utilizing fire to fashion stunning Shigaraki surfaces. His work displays the character of classic Shigaraki coarse clay: The clay body, which is filled with feldspar, juts out roughly from the surface of the work as a result of the coveted impurities in the clay. Variegated hues of vermillion, ochre, and scarlet from the fire of his anagama kilns shows his deep understanding of the relationship between fire and earth well. On this topic, Furutani had published a book “Anagama: How to Build and Fire.” He sadly passed away at the early age of 54, and the world of Yakishime pottery lost a creative talent. Now, his work lives on in the spirit of ash glazes in the region.