A Shigaraki Anagama-fired Tsubo by Michio Furutani
- Artist:
- Michio Furutani
- Era:
- Contemporary
- Price:
- SOLD
- Inquire:
- Contact gallery
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Fired for days at over 1,400C degrees, this primordial-looking wonder of ancient potting technology displays a number of beautiful natural effects from the interaction of the clay, minerals, and ash from the unique style of kiln.
The creator of this work Michio Furutani (1946 - 2000) is regarded as one of the true greats of Shigaraki potting and is noted for being the first to revive the ancient art of anagama kiln firing in this region. Anagama kilns or “cave kilns” originated in China and Korea and were used widely in Japan prior to Edo. They are distinctive for their small size, for often being dug directly out of the clay of a sloping hill, and for their exclusive use of wood firing. Pieces produced this way are distinctive as they are produced in small batches and with great care. From early Edo, the large-kiln style of production “ogama” were introduced, ushering in an era of mass production of glazed pottery which eventually relied mainly on electricity or gas. While these kilns produce more consistent results, anagama are favored for bringing the soul, artistry, and splendid variability back into the process. Due to his pioneering spirit and dedication to the craft, Furutani was the winner of many awards and his pieces remain highly sought after today.
In fine condition, this piece is 9.5 inches in diameter (24 cm) and stands 10 inches tall (25.4 cm). With Furutani’s signature on the base, this tsubo comes with a full-color catalog featuring works from a 1996 exhibition. In the back of this catalog is a price-list which has a tsubo of similar size listed for ¥380,000 (~ USD $3,500 ). ** International shipping and insurance included in the price
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