Yuwei: Partially Rusticated and Sandblasted Blowfish

Fans of any and all finishes will appreciate this Blowfish from Yuwei Huang: The right flank bears a subtle sandblast, while the left is rusticated in a tidy, spiral motif. Elsewhere, the top of the shank; the innermost, chamfered section of the rim; and the shank face are all smooth-polished in a light, honey-blonde stain for stunning contrast. It's a remarkable display of finishing prowess, and the Blowfish is the ideal shape for such an aesthetic — the various panels and sections of the design perfectly accentuated by the use of various finishes. Shape-wise, this piece remains true to the traditional Japanese form, featuring a paneled shank and ridgelined flanks that flick outward in "fins" near the transition. Furthermore, the Taiwanese carver elongated the shank for a more streamlined and dynamic profile, and the expansion disk at the stem base is tilted in line with the shank face, while also adding a subtle whimsy in its undulating nature.