Tsukigata Nahiko (月形那比古), Japanese (1923–2006)

A Classical Black Chawan (古典黒 茶碗)

Showa Era (1926–1989)

About the work

A commanding black Shino chawan (tea bowl) by Tsukigata Nahiko, the renowned founder and patriarch of Oni-Shino (鬼志野), a bold and expressive substyle of Mino ware. This tea bowl exemplifies the dramatic contrast and spiritual intensity for which the artist is known, with a deep, smoldering black glaze over coarse Mino clay, embodying both rugged strength and subtle elegance.

The bowl’s thick glaze pools and runs unevenly, creating organic, flame-like markings—an homage to the fire-born character of Shino ware. Its form is robust and contemplative, inviting the touch and gaze of a practiced tea master. 

The accompanying tomobako (signed wooden box) and leaflet further enhance its provenance and cultural significance.

Dimensions

8.8cm(h) x 11.8cm(w)

Footnote

Tsukigata Nahiko was a pivotal figure in postwar Japanese ceramics, especially within the Shino revival movement. Born in 1923 in Gifu Prefecture—the heartland of Mino ware—he was instrumental in the development of Oni-Shino, known for its fiery, elemental aesthetic. Nicknamed “The Potter of Flame” and “The Monk Potter,” Tsukigata’s work spans ceramics, painting, calligraphy, sculpture, and seal carving. He passed away in Toki, Gifu in 2006, leaving behind a profound legacy in modern Japanese ceramic art.