Yōhen Haikaburi Tea Ceremony Bowl by Wada Hiroaki

Description

Haikaburi means literally "ash covered."  It is a technique which involves placing pots directly into the ash pit of a kiln that has already been fired for several hours.  As more wood is burned, ash builds up around the pot and fuses with the clay body.  With a failure rate of well over 70 percent, haikaburi is a very hit-and-miss technique, but pots that can survive the grueling conditions inside the pit display an unrefined energy like no other type of ceramic.

This yōhen haikaburi tea ceremony bowl by Wada Hiroaki is one of those proud survivors.  It was fired at Ōizumi-gama - the Wada family's noborigama climbing kiln.  At 1,250°C (2,300°F) degrees, it was placed in the ash pit and blasted with wave after wave of red pine and cedar embers, each one adding another layer of texture and color until the bowl became buried.  What arose from the ashes is a true masterpiece, blessed with incidental details which could never be reproduced exactly.  The face of the bowl (shōmen) is a fluid collage of amber rivulets and ocher speckles; the rear is encrusted with pine embers now frozen in time.  Its most distinctive feature, however, is the azure pool of vitrified ash inside.

The bowl is formed from a grainy clay and has an irregular, oval shape which fits cupped hands for receiving tea.  It exudes a raw energy that is inescapable, naturally drawing viewers in closer to ponder the dynamics of its creation.

A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by the artist.  Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.

A fukusa display cloth is included.

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