Uraguchi Masayuki (浦口 雅行), Japanese, b. 1964

A Celadon Tea Bowl (青磁茶碗)

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

About the work

In this exquisite Seiji Chawan (celadon tea bowl) Soft Demeanor, master ceramicist Masayuki Uraguchi seamlessly blends ancient Song dynasty traditions with a modern Japanese aesthetic. Standing 7.5 cm high with a gently undulating, organic rim spanning roughly 13 cm, the bowl features a luminous, ice-blue glaze whose thick, jade-like luster evokes a serene atmosphere. Veining across this pale translucent surface is a fine network of warm, iron-red crackle lines (kannuri), created through Uraguchi’s precise control of thermal contraction between clay and glaze during cooling. The piece is framed by a delicate, rust-toned "lipstick" rim (kuchibeni) at the top and anchored by a neatly carved footring that exposes the rich, iron-tinted clay beneath, resulting in a vessel that feels both timelessly tranquil and deeply inviting in the hands.

Dimensions

7.5cm(h) x 13.1cm(w) x 12.7cm(d)

Footnote

Uraguchi Masayuki, born in 1964 in Tokyo, found his inspiration during his studies at the Tokyo University of the Arts, where a National Treasure celadon vase sparked his lifelong passion for celadon glazing. He trained under Miura Koheiji, later refining his craft through extensive personal research, which included studying ancient Chinese ceramics firsthand. His work stands out for its innovative glazes and attention to detail, blending traditional influences with his distinctive, modern interpretation.