Chawan

For once the typecast of this bowl is easy. It is of the Wa-nari (circle shape) type, if I ever have seen one. There is not much possibility of variation to that form. Usually it sits on a high, neatly crafted foot ring with a tidy central aerea. The body reminds of a ball cut open. Often, as here, it shows a slightly streched, ovaloid shape, maybe to avoid the sitting-duck image. A discreetly thrown Rokuro-me surely helps to sharpen the structure, also the lip runs some restrained agitation. The given form is yet a perfect screen for matters of glazing. But here it has been dared all black, applied by dunking, with the rim of the coat circular, just a little excentric around the foot. Then there was to interfere the wood firing. It added a brownish tinge to the darkness, more conjected than discernible, save at the subtle lip, where the glazing has thinned out. In the foot aerea the burning has created a shiny, ochre tone. Then there occured, what is called the 'oil spot effect', like oil on water, as it contracts into freckles. Due to the atmospheric dynamics in the kiln, this effect is coupled to a thinning of the coat with some brownish biscuit peeking through timidly. Another 'oily' phenomenon is observable in the aereas, where the glaze staunches, as in the lower parts around the dunking fringe. Like drying oil makes a puckered skin, so does the varnish here.
Still a glossy appearance, the cup presents itself quite opaquely and it takes a very favourable light incidence to fathom its secrets. So, drinking from it will always confront me with something enigmatically challenging.