Tatsuzo Shimaoka (島岡達三), Japanese (1919–2007)

A Copper-Red Yunomi with Rope-Impressed Decoration (辰砂縄文文様湯呑)

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

About the work

A finely patterned tea cup by Tatsuzo Shimaoka, displaying a softly waisted body covered in muted pink-red glaze and pale rope-impressed decoration. Its taller proportions distinguish it from the companion cup, giving the compact vessel a composed vertical presence.

The sides rise from a defined circular foot, narrowing slightly around the middle before opening towards a gently flaring rim. Subtle changes in contour preserve the character of the handmade form. The pale glazed interior offers a quiet contrast to the closely patterned exterior.

Bands of slanting, cord-like marks cross the body in alternating directions, forming a loose chevron rhythm. Their whitish lines stand against the copper-red ground, giving the surface both graphic clarity and tactile interest. The glaze varies gently in tone, softening the regularity of the pattern.

An olive-brown band around the mouth echoes the darker glazed foot, framing the pink body between two warm accents. These small contrasts enrich a form intended for everyday handling, expressing the relationship between utility and ornament central to Shimaoka’s pottery. 

Dimensions

7.7cm(h) x 7.8cm(w)

Footnote

Tatsuzo Shimaoka, born in Tokyo in 1919, was an acclaimed Japanese potter who became a Living National Treasure in 1996. He was known for his development ofJomon Zogan—an inlay technique combining traditional Japanese rope patterns with slip inlay inspired by Korean pottery. Shimaoka studied under the legendary Shoji Hamada, known as the "Reviver of Mashiko Ware," and later established himself as an independent potter. His work carries forward the folk art ethos, blending old traditions with innovation, making significant contributions to the global appreciation of Mashiko ware.