A Shino Tea Bowl (志野茶碗)

Showa Era (1926-1989)

About the work

A powerful Shino tea bowl by Kitaoji Rosanjin, one of the most original and influential figures in twentieth century Japanese art. Celebrated as a ceramicist, calligrapher, painter, seal carver, lacquer artist and gastronome, Rosanjin regarded vessels as an essential part of the experience of food and tea. This bowl reflects his highly individual reinterpretation of classical Momoyama period Shino ware.

The bowl is robustly formed with softly irregular sides rising from a compact foot to a gently undulating rim. Its warm stoneware body is enveloped in a thick feldspathic glaze of creamy ivory, enlivened by subtle firing variations, pinholing and areas of softly pooled glaze. These natural surface effects give the vessel a tactile and expressive character while preserving the quiet simplicity associated with Shino tea ceramics.

Painted across the exterior in iron pigment is an abstract linear design resembling a rustic fence or loosely constructed lattice. The dark iron decoration contrasts strongly with the luminous glaze and follows the curvature of the bowl with spontaneous, calligraphic energy. The reverse is left largely undecorated, creating an effective balance between expressive ornament and open space.

The interior is covered in the same softly lustrous glaze, while the underside reveals the roughly finished foot and exposed clay characteristic of a vessel intended for intimate handling and use. The asymmetry, natural glaze variation and directness of the painted design embody Rosanjin’s belief that beauty arises through vitality and individual expression rather than technical uniformity.

The tea bowl is accompanied by a fitted wooden storage box bearing an inscription and authentication by Tōtōan (陶々庵).

Dimensions

7.4cm(h) x 12.7cm(w)

Footnote

Kitaoji Rosanjin (1883–1959), born Kitaoji Fusajiro in Kyoto, was a remarkably versatile artist whose practice encompassed ceramics, calligraphy, painting, seal carving, lacquerwork and cuisine. Largely self taught, he first established his reputation through calligraphy and seal carving before developing a profound interest in ceramics and the relationship between food and vessels. In 1921, he founded the Bishoku Club, followed by the exclusive Hoshigaoka Saryō restaurant, for which he designed and produced tableware. He later established the Hoshigaoka kiln in Kamakura and created highly individual interpretations of Shino, Oribe, Bizen, Kutani and other historic ceramic traditions. Rosanjin was offered designation as a Living National Treasure for Oribe ware in 1955 but declined the honour. His bold forms, expressive decoration and uncompromising artistic vision secured his reputation as one of the defining figures of modern Japanese ceramics.

國家

語言

接觸

Plate / Bowl

Hiroshi Nakajima (中島宏), Japanese, 1941–2018

Hiroshi Nakajima (中島宏), Japanese, 1941–2018

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

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

Onishi Rakusai (尾西楽斎), Japanese

Onishi Rakusai (尾西楽斎), Japanese

Hasuda Shugoro (蓮田修吾郎), Japanese (1915-2010)

Hasuda Shugoro (蓮田修吾郎), Japanese (1915-2010)

Ken Matsuzaki (松崎建), Japanese (b. 1950)

Ken Matsuzaki (松崎建), Japanese (b. 1950)

Ken Matsuzaki (松崎建), Japanese (b. 1950)

Ken Matsuzaki (松崎建), Japanese (b. 1950)

Kitaoji Rosanjin (北大路魯山人), Japanese (1883–1959)

Kitaoji Rosanjin (北大路魯山人), Japanese (1883–1959)

Toyozo Arakawa (荒川豊蔵), Japanese (1894-1985)

Toyozo Arakawa (荒川豊蔵), Japanese (1894-1985)

Shinsaku Hamada (濱田晋作), Japanese, (1929-2023)

Shinsaku Hamada (濱田晋作), Japanese, (1929-2023)

Buzan Fukushima (福島武山), Japanese (b. 1944)

Buzan Fukushima (福島武山), Japanese (b. 1944)

Choshun Tenzan (長春天山) b. 1949

Choshun Tenzan (長春天山) b. 1949

Choshun Tenzan (長春天山) b. 1949

Choshun Tenzan (長春天山) b. 1949

Suzuki Sōji (鈴木爽司), Japanese (b. 1939)

Suzuki Sōji (鈴木爽司), Japanese (b. 1939)

Kato Shuntai (加藤春岱), Japanese, (1802–1877)

Kato Shuntai (加藤春岱), Japanese, (1802–1877)

Saiko Fukuoka (福岡彩子), Japanese (b. 1966)

Saiko Fukuoka (福岡彩子), Japanese (b. 1966)

Goro Kawamoto (河本五郎), Japanese, 1919-1986

Goro Kawamoto (河本五郎), Japanese, 1919-1986

Kato Shunto (加藤舜陶), Japanese, 1916-2005

Kato Shunto (加藤舜陶), Japanese, 1916-2005

Kato Shunto (加藤舜陶), Japanese, 1916-2005

Kato Shunto (加藤舜陶), Japanese, 1916-2005

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

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