GINZA TANAGOKORO

Color and shape of Binchotan [Water Surface / Twilight] | Atsuhito Otake

What do I expect in Binchotan?
Beautiful and novel decoration?
Effective purification or fuel?
For me, just because I see some power in its glow.
So, why not feel satisfied simply with its color and form?
That' s right! I can feel the same in Binchotan as what I saw on my way back from "Water Surface (collection)."
(Excerpt from my creation notes)

I try to capture something from the surface of the lake with borderless lights reflecting on it.
The scenery has full of colors, but I get nothing and a day is almost over.

Soon the wind stops and again water becomes perfectly quiet. Day is over and night falls. Slowly all the colors fade out and there appears a world of darkness and light.

Twilight

Enveloped in darkness, I now see the water surface which no more has brilliant colors but now has beautiful charcoal color and form glistening.

To be part of this scenery, I had to stay in the boat for long hours trying to collect various expression of water surface.

I had always wanted to put such experience into some kind of shape. Then I found Kishu Binchotan shaped as if harboring its soul with shiny and transparent color. It did not take me for a long time to associate such attractive Binchotan with my valuable and unforgettable experience on the boat. It was not necessary to decorate exaggeratedly if I could encounter the very one that directly talked to me, I thought.

So why not use your senses to the fullest when selecting Binchotan and reflect yourself on the charcoal? I am sure you will find your best Binchotan but will not be able to tell why.
If you have chances to visit Tanagokoro, I hope you will enjoy my work reflecting my valuable experience.

August 19, 2009