Catalog: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Tea Articles (55)

The natural ash glaze gradates from a light-glossy grey on one side to a blueish grey on the other. The foot of the bowl is unglazed at the base and shows traces of ferrous-rich clay in the form of an orangish hue. The mouth of the piece is somewhat oblong giving it an attractive shape and the rough texture and ash deposits in places give this bowl a weighty presence...

Hagi-yaki has a tradition stretching back over 400 years and is prized for its subdued colors and classical features, especially the glazing, which is often clear and vivid. The natural ash Hagi glaze of this piece gives it a mellow yet robust feel. In addition, the split wari-kodai at the base together with the asymmetrical hand-molded shape offers the user a unique tactile experience The sides of the bowl show pale ash, ivory, and faint hints of lavender...

The creator of this lovely Hagi chawan, Hirose Tanga (b. 1939) is the master-potter of Tenpozan kiln in the city of Hagi. When I acquired my first tea bowl by this artist it reminded me of bowls produced by Yoshida Shuen (apprenticed under NLT Miwa Kyusetsu). As it turns out, Yoshida worked alongside Hirose in establishing Tenpozan and in training young potters in the art of “Oni” Hagi which utilizes a rough textured clay and a milky translucent glaze...

According to the potter who crafted this fine piece, “The clay from our area in the north is alive. We listen to it in order to divine the most suitable objects to create.” Here we see the clay wished to become a well-formed ceremonial tea bowl with an impressionistic rendition of a Japanese Iris. Simple, well formed, and with a soft rusticity; a cup of tea becomes a meditation on the charms of quiet country living.

Originally from Iwate (b...

Rough stones can be seen protruding from the unrefined ferrous clay—darkening near the base and graduating to a lighter shade as it approaches the feldspar laden lip. The inside—also covered in a smooth and viscous feldspar glaze—creates a magnificent contrast with the rough exterior...

A beautiful Hagi-yaki chawan done by well-known artist Kaneda Keien (1949-). Keien is an 8th generation potter who has been producing works for over 40 years and is the winner of several awards for excellence. A distinctive feature of his works is that they utilize an iron-rich soil collected on the island of Mishima in the Sea of Japan...

This brilliant Tenmoku chawan displays gold and flaxen hues interspersed with dark ash glaze. The piece rests upon an unglazed clay pedestal showing the iron-rich clay the bowl is formed from.

Shodai-ware has a long and storied history stretching back as far as the Nara (710 - 794) and Heian (794 - 1192 ) periods...

The image of the brush-drawn circle, known most commonly as the “enso” of Japanese Buddhism, has long been a symbol of strength, elegance, and the simultaneous being and nonbeing (mu) of the universe. A closed enso is associated with the idea of perfection while an open enso represents movement, fluidity, and attainment in the corporeal world...

This extraordinary mizusashi is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre...

Exquisite glazing featuring a gradation that seems a product of both firing conditions and careful nurture by the artist. This piece displays a wonderful balance and nice sense of three-dimensionality.

In fine condition, this tea bowl measures 4.7 inches in diameter (11.8cm) and stands 3.3 inches tall (8.2cm). The bowl comes with its own wood box with poetic name "朝日" (Asahi) inscribed on the inside cover.

An enchanting tea bowl with painted plum blossoms. The blossoms appears to be of the "un-ryu" species which translates as "flying dragon" in English. Grounded and weighty in construction, the innocent and playful drawings on the outer surface of this tea bowl make for a well-balanced composition.

In excellent condition, this piece measure 4.7 inches in diameter (12 cm) and stands 4 inches tall (10 cm). It features a signature in the clay of the pedestal (unknown potter)...

This striking chawan is a fine example of “Oni Shino” (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre...

A refined and elegant work of Hagi-ware done by a master potter who is not only a direct descent of the Hagi forebears, but who also credited with having revive the tradition when it fell out of practice. This piece features a well-formed kodai (foot), an exceptionally nice Hagi glaze and several “ishi-haze” or marks from small stones that partially explode in the kiln...

Wood fired Mino-ware with a deep and expressive iron glaze, this tea bowl is a delight to hold in the hand.

A native of Aichi Prefecture, the potter Kajiura Soshyu was born in 1916 and studied under Hayashi Sekko and Kimura Giichi. A multitalented artist, he is also rumored to have worked in painting and calligraphy. While little information can be found on this artist, the few works that I have seen show great competence and sensitivity to aesthetics.

In excellent cond...

A lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse, iron-rich Mino clay and covered in feldspar glazing. The crackled glazing along with the elongated kutsugata shape (shoe shape) are very typical of this type of Shino-ware and these elements compliment each other nicely. The shape allows the chawan to rest firmly in the hands and the light-colored glaze makes a beautiful backdrop for a frothy bowl of green matcha tea.

In excellent condition, this piece measures 5.1 inches in diameter at...

A lovely Shino tea bowl fashioned from coarse Mino clay and covered in a crackled feldspar glazing. The front and sides of the bowl are decorated with paintings of abstract foliage resembling Iris leaves and the base of the bowl is unglazed, displaying rough clay. The paintings, which are applied using a ferrous glaze, along with the han-zutsu shape (half cylinder) are very typical of this type of Shino-ware.

In excellent condition, this piece measures 5 inches in diameter (12.6 cm)...

The creator of this lovely Hagi chawan, Hirose Tanga (b. 1939) is the master-potter of Tenpozan kiln in the city of Hagi. When I acquired this piece I thought it reminded me of bowls produced by Yoshida Shuen (apprenticed under NLT Miwa Kyusetsu). As it turns out, Yoshida worked alongside Hirose in establishing Tenpozan and in training young potters in the art of “oni” Hagi which utilizes a rough textured clay and a milky translucent glaze (like the bowl shown here). Bowls made using this te...

This striking chawan is a fine example of Oni Shino (carbon trap and natural ash glazing) that Tsukigata is so well-known for. Coining the term in the mid-50’s after countless failed experiments—which ultimately culminated in the discovery of this unique style of pottery—“Oni” translates roughly to demon or ogre. Fired at extreme temperatures for days in an anagama, the iron in the clay and in the glaze fuse, drip, and coalesce—while at the same time blending with the molten ash of t...