#32 Large Kokeshi Vessel Alabama Chanin Line The shinogi—a traditional Japanese decorative

The shinogi—a traditional Japanese decorative technique—are carved carefully by hand into the surface of the piece

Impressed with his dedication

Each piece exhibits the beauty of age-old traditions passed down through the generations

with a ring of blue at the base that speaks of the water that collects inside

#32 Large Kokeshi Vessel Alabama Chanin Line The shinogi—a traditional Japanese decorativeAkio Nukagas work explores the possibilities of how he leaves a trace of himself in clay. This piece features his signature Pleated Work technique of carving grooves into the wet clay after it is thrown on the wheel. The forminspired by traditional kokeshi dollsis accentuated by these grooves curving down the profile of the vessel creating movement and rhythm. After the first firing and before the second, he finishes the vessel by applying different