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Over the centuries, several different ceramic
styles have made their contribution to the development of what is today
called Kyoyaki, or Kyoto wares. In the mid-17th century, one
artist's work in particular set the cornerstone upon which Kyoyaki
most firmly rests.
Ninsei Nonomura
(1574-1666) was born in Tamba (one of Japan's ancient pottery centers)
and moved to Kyoto around 1640 where he set up his own kiln. In
Kyoto, he began absorbing the aesthetics of various artistic
disciplines flourishing at the time, including painting, calligraphy
and woodblock printing. Never afraid of innovation and already
well familiar with the nature of clay, Ninsei was the first potter to use a
stoneware body painted with overglaze enamels - pigments which, until
that time, had been applied only to porcelain. His close friend
and patron, tea master Sowa Kawamori (1585-1656), believed that
Ninsei's work embodied the concept of kirei-sabi (lit. "refined
beauty"), and it is this standard of elegance and refinement which has
defined Kyoto ceramics ever since.
This elegant summer tea ceremony bowl (natsu-jawan) by Wada Hiroaki
follows in the Ninsei style. Images of chrysanthemum (kiku) are
skillfully rendered in low-relief enamels and then detailed with
24-carat gold. The body is deftly formed from a mix of clay and
porcelain (called hanjiki) and perfectly balanced
upon a well-crafted footring bearing the artist's name stamp.
Its wide brim allows hot tea to cool more rapidly, making the bowl
more suitable for summer.
An outstanding seasonal piece for the chanoyu practitioner.
See Wada Hiroaki & Wada Tozan's
Daimaru Gallery Exhibition pictorial
for works from their recent collections.
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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