Blue bamboo shoot vase (large) Suwa Sozan

Width: 14.2cm Height: 24.8cm

The "Celadon Bamboo Shoot Vase (Large)" was created by Suwa Sozan IV, modeled on the Kinuta celadon of the Longquan kiln of the Southern Song dynasty, while also incorporating Japanese vase culture. As can be seen in the photograph, the stepped ridges running from the body to the shoulders evoke the nodes of young bamboo shoots sprouting from the ground. The smoothly rising silhouette, which changes angle slightly at each node, quietly suggests the vitality hidden within a plant, while also capturing the refined proportions unique to Southern Song celadon.

molding

Sectional structure of the body <br data-start="261" data-end="264">The body is constructed with a taut, sectioned outline, and is designed to taper gradually from the bottom towards the aperture. This gradual convergence combines a sense of visual stability with a relaxed verticality.

Bamboo Node Carvings on the Long Neck <br data-start="366" data-end="369">The neck is also lined with a series of thin node carvings, creating a rhythm reminiscent of bamboo culms. This harmonizes with the powerful nodes on the body and enhances the overall sense of unity.

Ring-shaped rim <br data-start="457" data-end="460">The rim is slightly curved outwards and has a very shallow ring of flowers on the inside, so that the flowers will naturally move towards the center when arranged.

Glaze Tone - The depth of Sozan Celadon inherited from the first generation

The pale jade color, which can be seen in the photograph, is a descendant of "Sozan Celadon," which was perfected by the first Suwa Sozan through 25 years of trial and error. The iron contained in the clay dissolves during reduction firing, resulting in a highly transparent blue-green color. Of particular note is the slight pools of color that form on the ridges of the steps - these are thickly glazed and cast a faint shadow depending on the light, evoking the sheen of young bamboo shoots covered in morning dew.

Functional beauty and a perfect match for the tea ceremony

When water is poured inside, the thick glaze causes the water's surface to be reflected on the wall of the vessel, giving it a soft glow. The stems of the flowers swaying in the water are visible through the glaze, creating a scene in which the vessel and the flowers become one.

Creating a sense of the seasons <br data-start="858" data-end="861">The unevenness of the nodes acts as a holding mechanism for flowers such as spring buds, summer quince, autumn wild chrysanthemums, and winter plums, creating a rich, three-dimensional effect even with a small number of flowers.

history

Bamboo shoot-shaped vases were a favorite design among the imperial court and literati during the Southern Song dynasty, and at the Longquan kiln, combined with the transparency of celadon, they were considered a vessel shape symbolizing "signs of spring." Suwa Sozan I transplanted this spirit and design to Japan, successfully restoring Kinuta celadon. Suwa Sozan IV inherited the celadon color while pursuing a size and strength that is easy to handle in modern tea ceremonies, and in this piece, he fine-tuned the thickness of the rim and the relief of the joints to enhance durability.

Fourth generation Suwa Sozan

Suwa Sozan IV was born in Kyoto in 1970. He was trained by his father, Suwa Sozan III, and his mother, Nakamura Sotetsu XII, and succeeded to the name of the IV in 2002. He makes full use of a variety of techniques, including plaster molding and kneading techniques, while continuing the spirit of research shared by the first generation. Inspired by his mother's teaching that "each piece should have a story," this work also tells the story of an auspicious omen, "bamboo shoots heralding the arrival of spring."

The "Celadon Bamboo Shoot Vase (Large)" captures the elegance of Southern Song Dynasty Longquan kiln kinuta celadon, while the delicate sculptural sense and controlled glaze of Suwa Sozan IV give it a freshness befitting a modern tea ceremony. The dynamism created by the stepped knots and the serenity of the clear blue color - these opposing elements come together in a single vessel, making this a masterpiece that brings a breath of spring to the heart of anyone who sees it.