types of dirtworks vases

CRACKED SURFACES: KOHIKI & OTHERS

Centuries ago potters in Korea to thinly cover their dark clay with a layer of white while allowing decorative hints of the darker clay to be seen. Akira Satake took this idea to a new level with his patterned kohiki slip creations. This variation uses a thick brushed layer of this slip and a multistep process which forms shaped crackles along the brush strokes, exposing the layer of clay beneath.

An additional process here uses “water-glass” on a simple thrown piece which dries to a stiff candy like coating. The piece is then stretched by continuing to throw on the wheel, only touching the inside.

Both of these methods allow glazes and stains to be added to the crevices. i love the unexpected variations of the crackles which suggest waves, tree bark and cracked earth.
CLICK HERE FOR SOME CRACKED SURFACE VASES

WHALE TAILS

Whale Tails, Fish Tails & Fountains and boats. Obviously not an official Japanese description of this type of vase, but so far nobody in the ikenobo community has been able to tell me . These vases are meant for shoka and rikka. But they are graceful enough to use on their own as a mantle display
CLICK HERE FOR WHALE TAIL STYLE VASES

MODERN FREESTYLE VASES

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF CHANGES IN THE PAST CENTURY IN IKEBANA. MOST IKEBANA STYLES INCLUDE SOME SORT OF FREESTYLE , WHICH CAN USE VASES THAT ARE GREAT FOR WESTERN STYLE MODERN FLORAL DESIGN
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SUIBANS & SHOKA/NAGEIRE VASES

HERE ARE THE SHORT WIDE AND TALL NARROW VASES OF ALL SORTS
CLICK HERE FOR SUIBANS & SHOKA VASES

SCULPTURAL VASES

SOME VASES ARE HARDER TO CLASSIFY, BUT HAVE BECOME SCULPTURAL
CLICK HERE FOR SCULPTURAL VASES