In Japan every season and every phase of the year is marked by the presence of a flower, the most noted of course being the cherry blossoms signifying the long-awaited arrival of spring. Lesser known to the outside world is the importance of the iris flower marking the end of spring and the beginning of the summer months. Growing along river banks and in other wetland, the iris is thought to have purifying properties to ward off evil and is also associated with the expression of heroic deeds...
A wonderful hand-modelled Aka Raku tea bowl with compressed ring foot and covered with a red and black glaze - made by legendary 12th generation Kichizaemon Kônyû (1857-1932). His childhood name was Kozaburo, later became Kicho (or, Yoshinaga). He was the eldest son of Keinyu, the eleventh generation master. In 1871, he succeeded the family business and became the generation master. In 1919 he retired and took the name as Kônyû...
Magnificent hand shaped Shino Chawan, made by Kentaro Sesshu 80-90 years ago. Kentaro Sesshu is a descendant of legendary artist Shessu Toyo (1420-1506). The seal of the artist is stamped on the bottom. The chawan with its great wabi sabi aura comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box.
No chips or cracks.
Size: 8,8 cm height x 10 cm in diameter.
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The Choraku line of potters began when a student of Kichizaemon XI (Keinyu) and Kichizaemon XII (Konyu) opened an independent kiln in Kyoto in 1904. The line was officially given the name Choraku in 1906 by Choyuken, the head of a very influential tea ceremony association. Red Raku chawan are a favorite of tea enthusiasts and seem to have a face for every mood. In the right light they may appear like an amber sunset on the horizon. In another light, like lanterns moving through a misty field...
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...
Antique Raku Chawan of rarest color, made by the 1st Choraku Ogawa, one of the most legendary potters of the 20th century. The Chawan is in great antique condition and comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box. No chips or repairs. Only natural inborn kiln cracks caused during firing.
Ogawa Choraku was the founder of the Choraku lineage of Raku potters...
Conceived by 20th century master ceramicist Kawai Kanjiro (1890 - 1966), the combination of “shinsa” (cinnabar glazing) and “tsutsu-gaki kamon” (raised-relief slip-trailing floral design) used in the creation of this work is one of his most recognizable motifs.
Like so many great artists throughout history, Kanjiro refused to confine himself to one genre...
This beautiful chawan (tea bowl) is a Raku ware made by famous Kyuraku Kimura. It was made about 40-50 years ago. The seal of Raku is stamped on the bottom.
It comes with its originally signed and sealed wooden box and an appraisal of the Daitoku-ji Temple, Kyoto. This temple is very famous for its knowledge about chanoyu (Japanese tea ceremony)...
Here is a tea bowl, which represents the wabi sabi philosophy of Japan at its best with expected impressions of roughness, austerity and intimacy. This Karatsu chawan is about 80-90 years old and has wonderful white glaze, rarely seen on Karatsu chawans.
It comes with its original wooden box.
Size: 6,6 cm height x 11,7 cm in diameter.
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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 natural ash Hagi glaze gives this piece a mellow yet robust feel. The foot of the bowl is unglazed in places showing traces of ferrous-rich clay in the form of an orangish hue. The sides of the bowl show pale ash, ivory, and faint hints of lavender. Overall a classic and attractive example of an expertly crafted Hagi tea bowl.
The creator of this work, Korai-zaemon Saka XI was born in Yamaguchi prefecture in 1912. In 1958, just 10 years after marrying the daughter of Korai-zaemo...
A superbly well balanced Kuro Raku Chawan made by one of the few masters of this genre, Ogawa Choraku (1912-1991), second heir to the Choraku lineage of Raku potters.
The founder of the Choraku lineage studied under Keinyu (11th Raku) and Konyu (12th Raku) of the Raku Kichizaemon family, and in 1904 with the support of Konyu, founded his own kiln in Kyoto. He received the name Choraku in 1906 by Choyuken, the head of a very influential tea ceremony association.
There ar...
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. In this composition by veteran Mino potter Takuzo Mizuno, we can see an open enso done in thick feldsparic glaze on a classic background of nezumi Shi...
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. Fired at extreme temperatures for days in an anagama kiln, the iron in the clay and in the glaze fuse, drip, and coalesce—while at the same time blending with the mo...
Done in the Annan style which is a Japanese adaptation of porcelain-wares imported from a region of ancient Imperial China (now part of Vietnam) from the late Muromachi period (1392 - 1573). At the time this type of pottery was hugely popular among tea devotees and this enthusiasm continues into the modern day. The scene portrayed on the tea bowl is the classic image of the “shichikenjin” or the Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.
Although reports vary, it is generally thought that...
We present a stunning Japanese tea bowl made 80 years ago by the legendary 9th Choraku Ohi (1901-1986), enclosed in its originally signed and sealed wooden box. Aesthetic highlight is the perfect kintsugi gold repair, which makes this tea bowl to a unique treasure. Highly recommended for sophisticated collections.
The Ninth Chozaemon was the son of the Eigth Chozaemon who had been making tea utencils from age sixteen until his death at age eighty-six. At 26,he received his title of...
