263. FUJIMOTO Hide 1954- , Shigaraki-ware pillar vase

263.  FUJIMOTO Hide  藤本秀,  1954- , Shigaraki tagui-enchū  信楽 類円柱  (Shigaraki-ware pillar [vase])

For Fujimoto, see item no. 250.  Fujimoto often finds inspiration in building materials (see also no. 250). Here the piece is shaped after a central pillar with notched holes near the top for holding the ends of a series of radiating support beams. 

Light gray Shigaraki clay, fired unglazed, with kiln effects, including hi-iro in red colors, natural ash glazing, with vitrification and bidoro, light gray with a greenish tint; ash deposits in dark gray to black. Weight: 3.5 kg (7-3/4 lb). Height: 24 cm (9-7/8 in). Diameter: 15.3 cm (6 in). 

This sits on a flat base, about 2 cm (3/4 in) thick. The remnants of the three posts used to separate the piece from the kiln shelf during firing are visible on the base. In shape this is a cylinder, roughly the same diameter throughout. There is an upward sloping ridge on the back side beginning at the base and extending upwards for about half the height. There are six windows near the top, each around 4.5 cm (1-3/4 in) square. The top and bottom sides of each square are level; the right and left sides angle inward. The lower edge of each square begins 17.8 cm (7 in) above the base. Within these windows, the flat surface moves inward toward a vertical, circular central wall 3.2 cm (1-1/4 in) high and 5.8 cm (2-1/4 in) in diameter. The top is a flat disk 1.5 cm (5/8 in) thick, with a central hole 5.8 cm (2-1/4 in) wide. There is a space of approximately 0.6 cm (1/4 in) between the inner central wall and the flat disk at the top, leaving the area within the windows open. The shape of the interior mirrors that of the exterior. The surface of this is quite rough. 

This was fired unglazed. The top and one side (arbitrarily designated the front) have a thick layer of vitrified natural ash glazing, with many small patches of green, glass-like bidoro deposits, light gray in color with a strong greenish tint. The upper part of the back side, to just below the square openings has a similar coating of natural ash glazing. Below this is a heavy layer of ash deposits, colored dark gray to black. The base has areas of vitrification across most of the surface, with a patch of hi-iro colors in light red. The original clay shows through in the areas of the base where the wads were placed during firing. The interior is hard to see but appears to have a good coating of natural ash glazing on the bottom and along the lower sides. 

This came in a wooden box inscribed by the artist in three lines: 信楽 / 類円柱 /  藤本秀  Shigaraki / tagui-enchū  / Fujimoto Hide (Shigaraki[-ware vase] resembling a pillar), followed by the artist’s seal stamped in red. 

Purchased from the Kura Monzen Gallery in Kyoto in October 2024, who received it directly from the potter in summer 2024. This was part of an exhibit entitled Shōka 昇華  (“sublime”), or Modern Masters in English, a show of fifteen currently active potters (invoice and shipping and customs documents).