Ash-glazed sake bottle by Okada Masaru

Width: 9.3cm Height: 12.6cm

Ash-glazed sake bottle by Okada Masaru - "The snow-like surface of the straw ash cracks like lava, and each sip of sake is imbued with the wildness of the mountains."

Overview of the work

A thick layer of ash glaze is applied to the rough, rough clay, which shrinks vigorously during firing, forming white crystal flakes that cover the surface of the vessel. The base material peeks through in places, and the contrast with the ink-gray color is reminiscent of rock surfaces after melting snow. The rim is distorted to the very limit of its roughness, bringing a rustic feel to the forefront. When you pick it up, the uneven surface, reminiscent of the remains of a field burn, provides a pleasant sensation in your palm.

The charm of ash glaze and "Kairagi"

An extremely thick layer of ash glaze, primarily made from straw ash, is melted in one go at a high temperature and then rapidly cooled. The glaze pulls on the base, shrinking and cracking, creating scaly white spots, a phenomenon known in tea ceremony ware as "kairagi." This ruggedness is reminiscent of Momoyama-period Iga and Shigaraki ware, and truly represents an "abstract painting drawn by nature." With continued use, the components of sake seep into the gaps in the white spots, softening the dark blue ink color slightly and developing a deeper landscape.

A look at history

From the ash-glazed jars of the Heian period to the Iga Onioke of the Momoyama period, and on to contemporary ceramics - ash glazes are essential to discussing the dynamism of Japanese ware. Okada Masaru has combined the techniques of Kyoto's Kiyomizu-Gojozaka with the wood-fired kiln flames of Uji's Sumiyama to bring out the potential of ash glaze in its most primitive form, "kairagi." No two pieces have the same crimp, truly creating a map of unique encounters drawn by the kiln.

Conclusion

This ash-glazed sake bottle resembles the surface of melting snow. When held in the palm of your hand, the warmth of the rough surface and the scent of the earth rise up, and the sake poured from it speaks of time in the mountains. The more you use it, the more the white spots will absorb the astringency, and the boundary between darkness and snow will blend deeply. Please keep it by your side for many years to come, and enjoy seasonal sips with this sake bottle.