Potter: Mizuno Shuzan
Approximate size: W5.9″ by H2.3″ or 14.9 by 5.9cm
In the same glazing style as a more traditionally formed chawan by the same hands listed earlier, this is a summer tea bowl. In the same glazing, this bowl forms a great pair with this chawan (shown below). I would prefer these items to be kept together.
This is a high class ceremonial shino summer tea bowl made by Shuzan Mizuno. This first class artist managed to make his work a distinct style in the world of Shino pottery though not many people outside of Japan know about him. Like the chawan posted earlier, this type of glazing appears unique yet is created according to the traditional methods. The feldspar in the glazing burns at different temperatures and thus creates a diverse landscape.
Pottery has been produced in the Mino area of Gifu prefecture since the Kamakura period (the end of the 12th century). The main names synonymous with Mino are Oribe, Shino and ki-Seto. It is said that Shino was the first ware to decorate its pieces with brush-drawn designs as shown on this example. Before the use of brush-drawn decorations potters had been carving, incising or were appliquéing their ideas and fantasies.
Emperor Hirohito who ruled during the Showa era was particularly fond of Shuzan Mizuno’s work and twice ordered Shuzan Mizuno’s work for personal use and display in the imperial palace.
The first Shino ware was developed during the Momoyama period (1568–1600), in kilns in the Mino and Seto areas. The glaze, composed primarily of ground local feldspar and a small amount of local clay, produced a satiny white color. It was the first white glaze used in Japanese ceramics. Wares decorated with Shino were fired in the Anagama kilns used at that time. Anagama kilns were single-chambered kilns made from a trench in a hillside that was covered with an earthen roof. As the anagama kilns were replaced by the multi-chambered noborigama kilns during the first decade of the 17th century, Shino was supplanted by the Oribe ware glazes used in the newer kilns.
The chawan has no chips or cracks and is in excellent condition. Comes with the original quality paulownia tomobako with kiln stamp and calligraphy on the lid. Also comes with a pamphlet about the potter.
€450+ shipping cost