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Iga is a style of unglazed, high-fired pottery
that first appeared in the 16th century in Iga (Mie prefecture).
Some of the characteristic features of Iga include grainy clays with
bursts of feldspar, slightly heavy forming, and streams of vitrified
glaze called biidoro - after the Portuguese word for glass.
During the Momoyama period (1573-1600), when the tea ceremony had
become popular with the warrior class, Iga became an appellation known
throughout the land and closely associated with tea bowls, due in
large part to the fact that the feudal lord of the Iga Ueno clan was
very knowledgeable about both tea and pottery.
This tea ceremony bowl (chawan) by Tozan Wada follows in the Iga
tradition. It was born at
Oizumi-gama,
the Wada family's noborigama climbing kiln. During the
initial phases of firing, swirling embers of red pine fused with the
clay body. As the temperature inside the kiln rose to 1,250°C
(2,300°F) degrees, the ash buildup began to melt, forming the emerald
pool of biidoro now frozen in the center. Around the
bowl, crystals of feldspar have burst out from the clay, adding a
rough texture to the landscape of this very organic piece.
The low, flat shape of the bowl allows whipped green tea to cool more
rapidly, making this chawan more suitable for summer tea ceremonies.
Like a cool, moss covered basin, it offers refreshment for the spirit
and many contemplative moments.
See Tozan Wada's
Daimaru Gallery Exhibition pictorial
for works from his 2006 collection.
A wooden presentation box will be custom made to order and signed by
the artist. Delivery time for this item is 2 weeks.
A fukusa (display cloth) is included.
special care instructions
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