Ryoji Hayashi (林亮次), Japanese, b.1940

A Shino Chawan 

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

About the work

This Shino chawan by Hayashi Ryoji presents a quietly assertive form rooted in the classical language of Shino ware while embracing a contemporary sensitivity. The bowl is broad and low, with gently rounded walls and a softly undulating rim that introduces subtle movement to the silhouette. Its proportions feel open and generous, encouraging both visual engagement and tactile interaction during tea preparation.

The surface is coated in a thick, feldspathic Shino glaze, milk white in tone and richly animated by characteristic crawling and pinholing. Networks of crackle reveal flashes of warm iron rich clay beneath, creating a lively contrast between glaze and body. Occasional fire marks and faint scorch tones further enrich the surface, bearing witness to the intensity of the firing process. The exposed foot, left largely unglazed, displays the vivid orange red of the clay, grounding the piece both visually and materially.

Dimensions

8.8cm(h) x 12cm(w) x 12cm(d)

Footnote

Ryoji Hayashi (b. 1940, Toki City, Gifu Prefecture) is a third-generation potter of the Shozan kiln, specializing in Shino ware tea ceramics. Since 1961, he has exhibited in the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition, the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, and the Tokai Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. He has held numerous solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima, and is recognized for his refined interpretations of Shino tradition.