Smooth Volcano (Kikuchi) (G) (026) (2018) Tobacco Pipe

This Volcano by Asami Kikuchi at Tsuge Ikebana feels at once very familiar and very different from the others we've seen. The crisp paneling at play is familiar — her previous pieces sporting a ridgeline that flowed through shank, fore of bowl, and returning to the shank quite neatly — but its in its gesture that things diverge. More curled than previous renditions, with a whole lot of roundness and softness to its shank end and lower bowl, it's a piece that brings a more organic element to a shape that requires a certain amount of structure, without sacrificing anything in the way of easy grace. On top of that, the finish is top-notch, a red-hued contrast that highlights some vibrant flame all around, its high gloss ensuring that this piece's sculptural style is not missed.