Shell Appliqué (kai no futamono)

Koike Shoko's energetic vessels are derived from marine forms and her love of nature. They evoke shells, ocean waves, and geological patterns of seaside cliffs. The shell-like ribbing of this piece is made by patiently applying layer after layer of clay. The textures and crevices are highlighted by the thick, creamy white feldspathic Shino glaze and striations of gritty Shigaraki clay. Koike, one of the first women studio potters to make a living from her work, has overthrown the stereotypes of delicate female sensibility in the male-dominated field of ceramic art in Japan.