This is a well made, signed tokkuri – or sake bottle.
The interesting thing here is that the ‘decoration’ on the sides is a modern take on an ancient method of firing.
The original ancient pieces were fired on their sides. I think that is because some of them had rounded bases. They were sat on three tiny pillars … and, because kiln space was critical, they would be stacked one on top of the other. Therefore there would be a circle plus three marks left by the pillars on either side of the pot.
This modern piece, marked with the Chinese ‘Ka’, has applied a contemporary interpretation by using glazes and resists to achieve a likeness of the old process. The black clay has had grit to it – this is commonly known as grogged clay.
This is just one example of the growing variety of works that I am collecting on Thrown and Fired
Grogged Tokkuri This is a well made, signed tokkuri - or sake bottle. The interesting thing here is that the 'decoration' on the sides is a modern take on an ancient method of firing.