ISHIDA Kazuya Round Rahō 螺法 Vase

Description

Like a planet, this round Rahō (螺法) vase from Ishida Kazuya seems to float through space. The spiral lines in contrasting colours give it an almost ephemeral, weightless presence.
The Rahō style, inspired by Ishida’s time in England, unfolds here with particular clarity: through the centrifugal motion of the potter’s wheel, slip and iron-rich Bizen clay interweave into a living, dynamic lattice.

The unglazed surface makes the character — or “flavour” — of the clay immediately perceptible. It reveals itself as rough, earthy, and of a distinctive tactile quality.
Traces of fire from the anagama wood firing are also visible: a slightly darkened area points to the path of the smoke during firing, while natural ash glaze produces a subtle sheen.

This vase radiates a quiet, understated allure. It bears Ishida Kazuya’s unmistakable Rahō signature and also represents a continuation of the Bizen tradition in a contemporary, highly personal interpretation.

ISHIDA KAZUYA

Spirals and Waves: A Portrait of Nature in the Bizen Style

Ishida Kazuya comes from a family of potters in Bizen. Bizen is one of Japan’s most important ceramic regions and is renowned for its unglazed, high-fired pottery.

For four years, Ishida Kazuya studied under Isezaki Jun, Bizen’s current Living National Treasure. His experience in the United Kingdom, where he worked with slip and slipware techniques, has also had a strong influence on his work.
Ishida Kazuya developed a distinctive interpretation of the Bizen style, which he calls Rahō (螺法). The name is derived from spiral-shaped shells.

Indeed, his creations are deeply inspired by nature. Ishida-san is fascinated by the dynamic forms and movements found in ancient rocks and spiralling seashells, and he seeks to capture these patterns in his work. Firing in a traditional noborigama or anagama kiln adds further layers of complexity to each piece through the effects of flame and the natural deposition of wood ash.