Tamaoki Yasuo (玉置保夫), Japanese, b. 1941

A Shino Tea Bowl (志野茶碗)

Showa Era (1926-1989), Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

This Shino chawan by Tamaoki Yasuo displays the poised irregularity and nuanced surface depth that define his approach to Shino ware. The bowl’s faceted form is quietly dynamic, its asymmetry lending a sense of movement while remaining balanced in the hand. A soft feldspathic glaze envelops the surface in a pale, mistlike layer, revealing warm iron tones and natural orange blushes where the glaze thins or the flame has struck more directly. These shifts in color and texture create a restrained yet expressive landscape.

The interior is smoothly finished, offering a contemplative viewing surface, while the exterior retains a tactile presence shaped by both carving and kiln. The foot is cleanly cut, exposing the clay and carrying the artist’s mark. The piece is complete with its original signed tomobako, cloth, and documentation.

Dimensions

10.5cm(h) x 135cm(w) x 13.6cm(d)

Weight: 480g

Footnote

Tamaoki Yasuo (b. 1941, Gifu Prefecture) studied under Kato Kobei V and is a full member of the Japan Kogei Association, as well as a designated Preserver of Intangible Cultural Property in Tajimi City. He has received numerous awards, including the Tokai Traditional Crafts Exhibition Grand Prize, the Japan Ceramic Society Prize, and the Katō Kobei Prize. Tamaoki is acclaimed for his mastery of aka-shino, beni-shino, and Oribe. His tea bowls and utensils are praised for their vivid coloration and technical refinement, while his exhibition works reveal a bold modern design sensibility that bridges tradition and innovation.