A powerful Zen circle seems to burn out from under the crawling white thick Shino glaze of this hefty tea bowl by important artist Hori Ichiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box titled Shino Chawan. What makes Hori particularly interesting is his relationship with Momoyama Shino. He isn't simply reproducing historical shapes. His work explores the physical qualities that make early Mino ceramics so compelling. There is also an interesting lineage here. Hori's teacher Katō Kōzō studied under Arakawa Toyozō, the great twentieth-century rediscoverer of Momoyama Shino. Thus Hori stands remarkably close to the modern revival of historical Mino ceramics. This bowl exemplifies that tradition. It is 13 cm (over 5 inches) diameter, 10 cm (4 inches) tall and in perfect condition.
Hori Ichiro (b. 1952) was born in Mizunami, Gifu Prefecture, in 1952 and graduated from the Design Department of Tajimi Technical High School in 1971. Most importantly, he subsequently studied under Katō Kōzō, later designated a Living National Treasure for Setoguro. In 1984 he established a studio at Ōkute in Mizunami and constructed an anagama, concentrating on Shino, Ki-Seto, Setoguro and naturally glazed wares. He later moved his workshop to Ōkusa and constructed additional kilns. Hori initially submitted work to exhibitions including the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Tōkai Traditional Craft Exhibition, and Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition, but after establishing his own studio he largely withdrew from the competitive exhibition system in favor of solo exhibitions. He has been awarded the Governors prize at the Asahi Ceramics Exhibition, and has been displayed at the Chunichi Kokusai Togei Ten as well as Nihon Dento Kogei Ten.
