Horie Bikoh - White Glazed Round - 4 in (10cm)
Horie Bikoh - White Glazed Round - 4 in (10cm)
Formal description:
Informal information:
A simple white glaze it seems, it has a semi-matt sheen, fine crackle, and wells and breaks over the generous form. At 10cm, it's practical, it also carries patina well.
The (three) highlights of this pot for me are the feet. The shape is perfect, delicately hand formed, and just wonderful where they attach to the body. Subtle work.
Horie Bikoh, real name Isao Horie, born 1939. Some of the dates for Isao don't add up in translation, but he was born into a pottery family, but only started bonsai pots later on, perhaps 1965(?), and was making small pots by 1968(?).
Crucially, he received instruction from Koreyoshi Nakamura and Heian Kazan, from Kazan he gained insight into suitable clay, glazes and mould making; as a result he is the only potter apart from Kazans son Kozan to be called a direct disciple of Kazan. His work certainly carries the same precision.
He often uses a clay which is a blend of Shigaraki and Mino clays, warm white in colour, which is said to be good for trees but also a great background for glazes.
He makes using the wheel, slab building and moulds, glazes range from traditional to very modern and bright - his orange is something else. A key motif that appears regularly is an origami crane in a contrasting glaze.
His work is highly collectible and popular, and hence, often carries a significant price tag.