Takeharu Kobayashi (小林武春), Japanese (b. 1943)

A Shino Chawan (志野茶碗)

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

About the work

A distinguished Shino chawan by Takeharu Kobayashi, a revered Japanese ceramic artist known for his refined Mino ware. This tea bowl exemplifies the rich tradition of Shino ware with its thick feldspathic glaze, beautifully layered in a milky white and iron-rich tone that creates dramatic contrasts and dynamic textures across the surface.
The bowl's gently curved form and uneven lip reflect the wabi-sabi philosophy—an appreciation for natural imperfection and asymmetry. A characteristic element is the soft, cloudy glaze interwoven with iron spots and pale brush marks that evoke mist-covered landscapes, a hallmark of traditional Shino aesthetics.
It is accompanied by its original tomobako (signed wooden box) and a leaflet, affirming its authenticity and collector’s value.

Dimensions

7.5cm(h) x 10.5cm(w)

Footnote

Born in 1943 in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, a historical center of Mino pottery, Takeharu Kobayashi established his kiln, Chikurin-gama, in Hida in 1970. He is celebrated for his expertise in Shino ware and his bold, individualistic style. Alongside traditional Shino and Nezumi Shino, he has developed original variations such as Murasaki Shino (purple), Hisai Shino (scarlet), and Akebono Shino (dawn). Throughhis dedication to form, glaze, and the spirit of Mino ceramics, Kobayashi continues to expand the expressive potential of Shino ware.