SHUNGO NEMOTO

Shungo Nemoto’s *Kairagi* Glaze: "Sōrin" (Frost Scales) The *kairagi* (plum-blossom skin) pattern is a feature often seen near the foot of Ido-style tea bowls. Tea practitioners cherish these naturally occurring patterns—formed within the kiln—as part of the vessel's "scenery" or aesthetic character. It is a beauty born of chance, resulting from the difference in shrinkage rates between the clay body and the glaze. "Sōrin" (Frost Scales) is a piece where this effect—usually a matter of happenstance—has been applied across the entire vessel. Creating the *kairagi* effect intentionally is surely no easy task. This work is likely the fruit of painstaking effort and trial and error. The glaze forms tiny, droplet-like beads that coat the entire vessel. The contrast between the white glaze and the clay color peeking through the spaces between the beads is exquisite.