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

A finely crafted Shino ware tea bowl by Ryoji Hayashi, a respected contemporary ceramic artist working within the rich traditions of Mino pottery. The bowl displays the distinctive qualities that have made Shino ware one of Japan's most celebrated ceramic styles, combining expressive firing effects with a powerful yet understated form.

The generously potted bowl features a softly irregular rim and rounded body that sit comfortably in the hands during the tea ceremony. Its surface is covered in a thick feldspathic Shino glaze, richly textured with pinholing and crater-like effects that create a lively, tactile presence. A bold iron-painted motif emerges through the milky white glaze, while flashes of warm hi-iro (fire colouration) and exposed clay around the foot provide striking visual contrast. The interplay between glaze, clay, and flame captures the spontaneous beauty that lies at the heart of the Mino ceramic tradition.

The bowl exemplifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic through its natural asymmetry, subtle imperfections, and evidence of the firing process, making it an engaging tea utensil as well as an attractive display piece.

The tea bowl is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako).

Dimensions

9.5cm(h) x 13cm(w)

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.