Ripples -Goma-

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. For example, the subtle sheen on the surface of this piece 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 white spirals gain greater depth through the addition of Goma patterns trickling down from the lip. Goma patterns—so named due to their resemblance to sesame seeds—are created when ash adheres to the surface of a work in a firewood kiln. As Bizen Art does not use any glazes or paints, the traditional Goma patterning is an important means of aesthetic expression for Bizen artists.