One blue porcelain wheel Masao Tagai
One blue porcelain wheel Masao Tagai
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Width: 8.6cm x 8.6cm Height: 11cm
Celadon single flower (Seiji Ichirin) by Masao Tagai
1. Work summary
This vase is clad in a pale blue glaze (rain-filled blue) that evokes the clear skies after rain, and reflects the beauty of nature's sculpture. The wheel-throwing process was deliberately stopped midway, and the vase was twisted by hand to add distortions and dents, creating rock-like undulations and organic shadows. The rim is wavy and irregular, and the areas that were left unglazed develop a silver-gray color, highlighting the wabi-sabi outline. Behind the mirror-like glaze, a slightly milky layer is transparent, adding depth, and iron spots are visible in the pools of glaze that have accumulated, subtly resembling the appearance of aged celadon.
2. Beauty of form and function
| part | Shape characteristics | Aesthetic and practical effects |
|---|---|---|
| Mouth rim | The iron rim sways and turns black. | It can be used as a flower holder to naturally hold branches and to tighten the shape of the vessel. |
| Body | The unevenness of the rock surface is due to the marks left by hand twisting. | The light scatters and the shades of blue create a rich shimmering effect. |
| bottom | Irregularly shaped plateau with three slight contact points | Achieve both visual lightness and stability |
3. Technical features
Glaze Design
The iron powder is adjusted, and the piece is fired at a high temperature, then the final stage is reduced to oxidation, resulting in a clear blue without any reddish tinge, and a milky layer that gives depth.
Ice Cracking and Iron Spots <br data-end="686" data-start="683">Because the expansion coefficients of the clay and glaze differ very slightly, tiny crazing appears that can only be seen depending on the light, and with repeated use, flower water seeps into the piece and it develops into a hazy landscape. The glaze accumulates in the recesses of the body and the iron is reduced, revealing black spots that add an accent to the landscape.
Mirror Finish <br data-end="819" data-start="816">After firing, the piece is heated again at a low temperature using reduction heating, which lightly re-melts the surface of the glaze, giving it a moist luster and soft reflection.
4. Aesthetic intent and historical background
Masao Tagai combines the profoundness of "Gyokukan celadon" from the Song Dynasty Longquan kiln with the "wabi that cultivates the scenery" that is important in Japanese tea ceremony pottery, and pursues minimalist works that harmonize with modern spaces. This work expresses "a sense of life hidden in silence" by deliberately breaking down the neatness of Chinese celadon and capturing the coincidence of natural stones and water droplets.
5. Flower arrangement and decoration
| season | Recommended flower materials | Points to consider |
|---|---|---|
| spring | Yamabuki and Yukiyanagi | The irregular rim captures the lightness of the branches, and the blue brings out the white flowers. |
| summer | Gin Mizuhiki/Hankatsuo | The cool blue and white of the undersides of the leaves resonate together to enhance the summer heat. |
| autumn | Amberjack and wild chrysanthemum | The thin stems contrast with the unevenness of the rock surface, creating a rhythm of movement and stillness. |
| winter | Kantsubaki/Nanten | The red berries and safflowers stand out against the pale blue, creating a dignified atmosphere. |
* If you place it on a stand or a black painted board and adjust the height to emphasize the shadows, the unevenness of the scenery will stand out more.
6. Points to note when viewing
Flickering light reflected on the unevenness <br data-end="1411" data-start="1408">When light shines at an angle, the glaze surface reflects like the surface of water, and the shades of blue change with each passing moment.
The iron rim and iron dots give it a refined look . The black dots on the rim and body tighten the blue, creating a sophisticated look reminiscent of antique celadon.
Growing Scenery <br data-end="1525" data-start="1522">As the flowers water and time pass, the crazing becomes misty, and the vessel changes along with its owner.
7. Conclusion
This piece, "Seido Ichirin," is a vessel that exudes a "living landscape" where the serenity of the clear blue, the movement of the hand-twisted work, and the wabi of the iron rim and iron dots coexist. Simply inserting a single flower will bring a breath of fresh air into the space, and the process by which the surface of the vessel changes gradually over the years will be engraved as a story unique to the owner. Please use it for many years to come and enjoy the changing of the celadon along with the flowers of the four seasons.
A conversation with Masao Tagai – High-end pottery specialty store [Amagi-do]
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Items that already come with a box will be shipped within 1-3 days of the order date.
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