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As many Bizen fans know, Mori Togaku's kilns are as much part of his brilliant career as his pots. He's working on a massive 90 meter kiln now outside of Bizen at Samukaze, yet before he established his mountain top studio there made his first large O-gama kiln in Aioi, Hyogo prefecture. That was in the late 1970s and this kabura-turnip tokkuri-vase dates to his 1980 kiln firing that was well-documented in a book---some attached photos from that book. The kiln took two years to make--1975-1977--and then Mori(b.1937)went about making pieces to fire; in 1978-79 he made 50 large vats--124cm.tall for some--among all the other works. From Nov.10th to Dec.25th, 1979 the kiln was loaded. On Jan.8th, 1980 the fire was lit in a traditional Shinto ceremony and the kiln was fired continuously until March 2nd. Unloading the kiln started on April 3rd. This piece is from that kiln firing, the only time the kiln was fired and the only time Mori made this form. It's very dignified with a warm, pleasing 'clay flavor' in orange-red-azuki tones; Mori was, and is, very particular about the clay he uses. A fine covering of goma-red pine 'sesame' ash in also seen. It has a quiet-serene presence--much like that of Momoyama period Ko-Bizen pieces--and is wonderful for chabana. In June of 1980 a large exhibition of works from this kiln was shown in Tokyo at Seibu and a photo from that catalog shows similar works, unfortunately the photo is in black and white. In perfect condition with a signed box, 17.5cm.tallx15,stamped on side and base; this is the first time we've offered a work from the now legendary Aioi kiln.
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