Pottery by Minami Samejima

It was her Katakuchi bowl which stole my eyes in a local shop in Japan some years ago and made me search for her contact immediately.

Katakuchi bowl is traditionally used for pouring Sake to optimise the fragrance of Sake and also to enjoy the feeling of vessel by seeing and touching, while drinking Sake. Kata means ''one side'' and Kuchi means ''mouth'' just as its form. Katakuchi bowl can be used also as bowl or as decor such as flower vase and object.

Katakuchi bowl is the one of items which Japanese potters make often. It tends to show their character clearly - Minami Samejima's Katakuchi bowl never appeals too loudly by itself and rather sitting in the space modestly, yet having an imperious presence. She doesn't use any glazing - instead of using glazing, she let the surface carbonised as it develops freely without any control. Each piece comes out with individual expression and texture.

She made 4 items for us - Katakuchi bowl as explained above, Shio Tsubo (salt vessel with lid), and two types of flower vase, Hanatsubo (wide rounded vase) or Hanazutsu (narrow vase).

Looking forward to welcoming you at store to see her work in real - they are so beautiful.

Today the shop is open from 12 - 6 pm. Tomorrow Saturday is closed and I'm looking forward to welcoming you again from Tuesday next week.

Kindest regards,

Ena

Newsletter No. 6 Pottery by Minami Samejima