A Rare Tamamizu Red Raku Tea Bowl with Gold Repairs
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Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Tea Articles: Pre 1800: Item # 1384512
Directory: Antiques: Regional Art: Asian: Japanese: Tea Articles: Pre 1800: Item # 1384512
Please refer to our stock # TRC18594 when inquiring.
Sold, Thank You!
Sold, Thank You!
In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has almost a mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of the Tamamizu branch, he is usually referred to as Tamamizu VI (denoting his descendance from the Raku line). After establishing the kiln, Yahē took the artist’s name “Ichigen” and proceeded to fashion extremely high-quality tea bowls and other implements in the style of the earliest Raku potters.
A book containing secret techniques used by the kiln has been handed down to each successive generation since the age of Dō’ nyū. Unlike the main Raku line—that to a certain extent allows each generation of potter to follow their own aesthetic sense—Tamamizu potters have stayed true to the original forms set out by Chōjirō, Dō’ nyū, and Kōetsu. The line of Tamamizu potters continued up to early Meiji with the death of Tamamizu 14. However, a recent attempt was made to revive the kiln by a descendent (later dubbed Tamamizu 15) who spent his life collecting Tamamizu-ware from earlier potters, researching the techniques used by studying old manuscripts, and training with main-line Raku potters. Despite these efforts, there remain many historical gaps in our collective knowledge of the kiln and of the individual potters themselves.
In fine antique condition with two gold repairs of excellent quality and appearance, this tea bowl is 5.1inches in diameter (13 cm) and stands 3.1 inches tall (8 cm). On the side of the box are written the characters 光悦茶碗 (Koetsu chawan) “tea bowl in the style of Koetsu.” On the underside of the lid are the Raku seal used by Tamamizu Yahé X along with the endorsement of Tamamizu 15. An inventory slip from the storehouse (kura) is preserved with the piece and lists details regarding the potter and style used. On the bottom of the tea bowl are the characters 八十七 (hachi-jū nana) “in the 87th year” and the name 楽翁 Rakuo—the potter’s name used by Tamamizu X. The artist Rakuo departed this world in 1769, making this tea bowl over 250 years old.
In the world of Japanese ceramics, Tamamizu-ware has almost a mythical standing. A branch of the main Raku line, at one time the two kilns held equal prominence, both being endorsed by the major tea schools of Kyoto and both being favored by the Imperial household. The first in the line was an illegitimate son of Kichizaemon Ichinyu (Yahē) who studied under his father and then left to open his own kiln in the village of Tamamizu (known today as Ide-cho). Though he is the first potter of the Tamamizu branch, he is usually referred to as Tamamizu VI (denoting his descendance from the Raku line). After establishing the kiln, Yahē took the artist’s name “Ichigen” and proceeded to fashion extremely high-quality tea bowls and other implements in the style of the earliest Raku potters.
A book containing secret techniques used by the kiln has been handed down to each successive generation since the age of Dō’ nyū. Unlike the main Raku line—that to a certain extent allows each generation of potter to follow their own aesthetic sense—Tamamizu potters have stayed true to the original forms set out by Chōjirō, Dō’ nyū, and Kōetsu. The line of Tamamizu potters continued up to early Meiji with the death of Tamamizu 14. However, a recent attempt was made to revive the kiln by a descendent (later dubbed Tamamizu 15) who spent his life collecting Tamamizu-ware from earlier potters, researching the techniques used by studying old manuscripts, and training with main-line Raku potters. Despite these efforts, there remain many historical gaps in our collective knowledge of the kiln and of the individual potters themselves.
In fine antique condition with two gold repairs of excellent quality and appearance, this tea bowl is 5.1inches in diameter (13 cm) and stands 3.1 inches tall (8 cm). On the side of the box are written the characters 光悦茶碗 (Koetsu chawan) “tea bowl in the style of Koetsu.” On the underside of the lid are the Raku seal used by Tamamizu Yahé X along with the endorsement of Tamamizu 15. An inventory slip from the storehouse (kura) is preserved with the piece and lists details regarding the potter and style used. On the bottom of the tea bowl are the characters 八十七 (hachi-jū nana) “in the 87th year” and the name 楽翁 Rakuo—the potter’s name used by Tamamizu X. The artist Rakuo departed this world in 1769, making this tea bowl over 250 years old.
