Ripples -Sphere-

Kazuya's Ripples series takes inspiration from gentle ripples forming on the surface of an otherwise tranquil pond. As with many of Kazuya's works, in this piece, one can appreciate the masterful application of several traditional Bizen Art techniques. The combination of white and a dark brown traditional to Bizen Art animates the piece by giving an impression of ripples spreading across its surface. The various color gradations found on each face further evoke the awesome beauty of the planets. The piece's subtle sheen was created not by glaze but by rapidly cooling the piece after firing. Kazuya also leveraged his unique technique of using a burner in the forming process to add subtle cracked textures to the surface, giving the piece a soft expression. The creation of such a balanced and subtle shape requires a mastery of the potter's wheel as well as an understanding of how firing will affect the overall form of the piece.