Potter: Suzuki Toshiyuki
Approximate size: W2.95″ by H1.6″ or 7.5 by 4.0cm
This is a mizuiro or sky-blue oilspot guinomi, saké cup by the retired potter Suzuki Toshiyuki who is accredited with the revival of Daisen ware. He build his own climbing kiln in 1981 and named it Kuko-gama. He received the title ‘Dentou-Kougei-shi’ which loosely translates to the title of ‘traditional skill holder’ in Tottori prefecture.
1944 Born
1965 Studied under the sandai, third generation Suwa Sozan
1970 Daisen yaki kiln established
1981 Builds the Kuko-gama climbing kiln
Research into manufactory of ancient ‘china’, namely ken-yo and tenmoku glaze
1983 Toshiyuki Suzuki completes his tenmoku Tamahagane-yo iron glaze
1989 Establishing a basic theory of firing iron glaze by reduction wood-firing
Daisen ware is said to have started with a Zen-Ku chief priest at the Daisen temple complex who started to create pottery. There were a total of 12 generations creating Daisen ware up to and briefly into the Taisho era. Toshiyuki Suzuki revived Daisen ware with the opening of Kuko-gama. His works are prized for the original simplicity that Daisen ware was said to have. Personally I was attracted to the intricate patterns and looking at it my imagination runs wild thinking of the flow and process of the glaze. I can only guess and imagine how interesting this potter’s personal notes and research must be!
Daisen ware is said to have been started with the first of 12 generations around the area of the Daisen temple, where a Zen-Ku chief priest started to create pottery. This temple continued to create Daisen ware up to and briefly into the Taisho era. Toshiyuki Suzuki revived this type of pottery with the opening of Kuko-gama. His works are prized for their ingenuity and original beauty.
Toshiyuki Suzuki is best known for his work with tenmoku oilspot, blue porcelain, kin-yo and ash glazes and perhaps above all the research he did into glazing pottery with a pure metal coating created from ‘tamahagane’, better known as the high quality iron ore used for the creation of traditional Japanese swords also known as Nihonto (based on ‘nihon’ meaning Japanese and ‘to’ meaning swords). It can be said that his Tamahagane-yo tenmoku glaze was this artists specialty and most acclaimed works.
Unfortunately Toshiyuki Suzuki lost his eyesight a couple of years back due to an advancing degenerative eye disease. The disease got worse each year up to the point where he could no longer see enough to continue potting and had to stop entirely. Today the only 2 people who inherit his advanced glazing knowledge and techniques are his son Harumichi and his wife. This is one of the last works by this potter that was offered on the market.
The guinomi is unused and sealed by the potter. There are no chips or cracks and condition is mint. Comes with the original paulownia tomobako, storage box with kiln stamp and calligraphy on the lid, a pamphlet with additional information and a dedicated tomonuno or tea cloth.
€220 + shipping cost
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