Bizen Tsurukame Guinomi

This Guinomi is a new work by Koji Nakahara.
It was fired in the kiln of his mentor, Fumio Kawabata.
The entire Guinomi is carved with cranes and turtles, creating a scene where a turtle seems to chase a flying crane across a shared space.
The figures of the crane and turtle are carefully carved from the thick clay body, with fine details in the wings, shell, and claws—truly impressive craftsmanship.
Though thickly made, the piece is well-balanced and surprisingly light, offering a comfortable and natural feel in the hand despite its bold size.
Natural glaze is applied only in select areas to highlight the carvings.
The crane appears beautifully accented in white by flame effects, while Tobi-Goma patterns on the turtle resemble its shell, adding an interesting texture.