Suzuki Syuzan - Rectangle, patina! - 12½ in (32cm)

Formal description: 

Excellent slab built rectangle by Suzuki Syuzan. A simple understated shape, the handmade nature of the pot shows through, most notably here in that one of the long sides slopes out further than the other. Quite often there's a clear line near the rim or feet where he joins pieces, but not here. The clay texture also has a wonderful quality to it. The evident patina adds warmth and a strong sabi feel.

I appreciate many will baulk at the price, and I understand, I was there too just a little while ago!

However, along with Gyouzans Signature pieces, Syuzans pots are regarded as being at the pinnacle of Japanese unglazed works, and like Gyouzan, his pots are some of the few Japanese ones that are shown at Kokufu-ten, and so the price reflects that. This really is the bottom end for Syuzan rectangles. I hope that explains somewhat.

Condition: Used, patina, small chip to the rim (see photo) - barely evident, otherwise excellent.

Suzuki Syuzan, real name Haruji Suzuki (1928-1988), Tsu City, Mie prefecture. Legendary (and hence expensive) potter. Worked in banking and moved to ceramics, as well as being a keen bonsai keeper. His studio was in Aichi near Seto, he also had a kiln in Tokoname. The majority of his works are hand made by slab-building, a time intensive process. He experimented with many clays, which were a mix of Kibushi (Seto, Japan) and Chinese clays. He originally pursued the appearance of classic Chinese pots, in clay and form, but this developed into a unique, softer aesthetic that combines a rustic sabi feel as well as 'Yūgen' - a sense of mysterious grace.

His pots were initially appreciated for Satsuki, but as they match so well with trees, they became universally popular and they're some of the few Japanese pots you will see displayed at Kokufu-Ten. He was the teacher of Sen-shu, in whose work the spirit of Syuzans evolved, Syuzans early death at 60 is very much regretted.

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