Murata Jukō (Tetsuo) (村田珠光(哲夫)), Japanese, b. 1922

A Jukō Yōhen Oni-Shino Tea Bowl “Zuiun” (珠光窯変 鬼志野 茶碗「瑞雲」)

Shōwa Era (1926–1989) or Heisei Era (1989–2019)

About the work

An expressive Jukō Yōhen Oni-Shino tea bowl by Murata Jukō (Tetsuo), bearing the name “Zuiun” (瑞雲), meaning “Auspicious Clouds”. Its deep, upright form is covered in a complex glaze combining white, grey, reddish-brown and striking blue passages.

The bowl has a broadly cylindrical body, with subtly undulating sides and a gently irregular rim. Its depth and compact width distinguish it from a shallow, open tea bowl, giving it a substantial presence. A warm reddish band at the base contrasts with the richly glazed body above.

Milky white and grey glaze moves across the exterior in irregular, cloud-like bands. Deep blue areas provide vivid accents, while dark brown and rusty red patches appear between the lighter passages. Small pits, glossy pools and changes in glaze thickness create a varied surface that rewards close inspection.

The name “Zuiun” offers an evocative counterpart to the drifting pale glaze, although the composition remains abstract. Its changing colours and tactile contours make the bowl equally engaging in the hand and on display. Accompanied by its original wooden box, whose inscription identifies the named work.

Dimensions

9.5cm(h) x 9.9cm(w)

Weight: 379g

Footnote

Murata Jukō, also known as Murata Tetsuo (村田哲夫), was born in 1922. He trained under his father and received guidance from prominent ceramic artists including Katō Kōbei, Katō Tōkurō and Katō Hajime. His education also included visits to historic kiln sites throughout Japan, broadening his understanding of traditional pottery. He established the Shukō Tōsha pottery in Toyoyama, Aichi Prefecture, and devoted his practice to exploring kiln-induced effects in Shino glazes. His distinctive ceramics, sometimes described as Jukō-Shino, reflect a sustained interest in the colours, textures and surface variations achieved through firing. Alongside his studio work, he led the Shukō ceramics association and served as a judge for the Aichi Prefectural Cultural Exhibition.