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Takahashi Samon(b.1948) is, as I have noted before, one of Japan's hidden treasures. Takahashi first studied with Kato KobeeV and Kato Takuo(Living National Treasure for three colored wares). He then entered the Gifu Prefectural Ceramic Institute to study kilns and then to Kamakura for an apprenticeship at Rosanjin's kiln known as Kamakura Toubo. He established his kiln in 1977 and named it Tenshou-gama or "Soaring Towards Heaven." His father chose the name and it expresses the feeling Takahashi got while watching white herons glide by his window near his first kiln. Firing takes place in a three chambered noborigama; all the pieces are fired in saggars for between thirty-six and forty hours at a peak temperature of between 1230-1240 degrees Celsius. Around the hills of Takahashi's studio is where he digs some of his clay; the rest is purchased from clay brokers in the Mino region or other areas of Japan. Right now he's using about six different clays and each has its own characteristic and personality. He told me that where the clay comes from is of no concern. Unlike Bizen or Hagi where they usually only use a few different varieties of clay, Takahashi simply wants to fire the earth. It makes no difference where it comes from as long as it meets his needs. Same for the more than twenty types of slips he uses. That's right, that many. He said he could make even more if he only had the space. His more than a quarter century of firing and testing has given him the experience and knowledge to get the kinds of brilliant effects that only he knows how. Unlike purely white kohiki wares, Takahashi wants to broaden the color scheme and create what he can call his own kohiki. He has. Deep crackles called kannyu are found on his works along with his magnificent range of colors he gets from mixing and matching slips and tomei-yu (translucent glaze); they are both simply stunning. The slip is put on especially thick. His kannyu is part of the beauty of the work. All of the above is seen on this truly pleasing jar, a museum piece, as is the tawara listed, in perfect condition with a signed box, 25cm.tall and 20.5cm wide.
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