Peter Machek posted a very nice throwing demo of Tokoname Master Craftsman Hokujo (Genji Shimizu) throwing a teapot.
A photo gallery containing pictures from around his workshop.
And also take a look at the Tokoname Gallery which features his work as well as many other craftsmen.
And if you want even more of an insight into the creation of his work, check out this gallery. A very interesting thing is that some of his work is fired with seaweed to give the subtle and natural decoration.
A new porcelain bowl. I’m experimenting with a new kodai (foot ring) form, that gently dips downward towards the bottom creating a concave section and a foot that tapers to a softened point. It has taken longer and presented new challenges with this bowl because I shaped the form to completion outwardly. I cannot carve the outside further. I think the end result is worth the technical “challenge” (if you can call it that). I guess it’s less a challenge than just an order of operations thing. You just complete the outside first and I’m used to leaving the outside mostly unfinished and forming for the interior.
Very excited about this yunomi! I threw it on the kickwheel and I always throw a bit thick which is just natural for me. In throwing and trimming it forces you think about how the inside of the vessel is formed and how it will affect the balance and the overall shape.
This leads to an insight which is best explained by the Tao Te Ching –
Use What Does Not Exist
Thirty spokes are united around the hub of a wheel, but the usefulness of the wheel depends on the space where nothing exists.
Clay is molded into a vessel, but the usefulness of the vessel depends on the space where nothing exists.
Doors and windows are cut out of the walls of a house, and the usefulness of the house depends on the space where nothing exists.
Therefore take advantage of what exists, and use what does not exist.
FireCrown Pottery 