Yōhen Suisei Tea Ceremony Bowl by Kamada Kōji

Description

Tenmoku holds an honored position in the history and development of tea ceremony in Japan. Tenmoku bowls were first introduced in the 13th century by Buddhist monks returning from their studies in China.  They were highly regarded among the Ashikaga shoguns who used them extensively in the art of chanoyu, or Japanese tea ceremony.

In his 50 years working in tenmoku, Kamada Kōji has taken this ancient technique to an even higher level of refinement with the introduction of a number of signature glazes.  This alluring chawan (tea ceremony bowl) is done in his yōhen suisei.

Inside the kiln, the glaze goes through an amazing transformation.  At a temperature of around 1,232°C (2,250°F), wood ash begins to separate from its heavier iron layer, vitrifying on the surface in feathery streams.  But it is cobalt that gives yōhen suisei its mysterious quality, effectively capturing the colors of the deep sea and giving the piece a real sense of depth - like the point where sunlight yields to darkness.

The bowl is deftly formed to an exacting thinness, flaring out from the center at a lower angle.  This not only allows whipped matcha green tea to cool more quickly, but affords a wider view of the true quality of yōhen suisei.

Kamada Kōji's tenmoku works are held in private collections around the world and, in 2005, were acquired by New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art for display in their Asian Art collection.

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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