Innovative tea bowl by Masahiko Ichino

Height: 8.5cm Width: 14.0cm x 12.5cm

Masahiko Ichino's "White Tanba" tea bowl is simple yet profoundly beautiful, featuring a white base accented with black speckled patterns. Holding this piece, it feels strangely familiar, providing the user with a sense of comfort and security. Not only that, it is also visually beautiful, concentrating Ichino's technique and sensibility in pursuit of sophisticated aesthetic beauty, particularly in the world of tea ceramics. Ichino's works push the boundaries of form within the traditional framework of tea ceramics, adhering to the constraints of the tea ceremony while also challenging its limits, and this attitude is strongly reflected in this tea bowl.

"Constraints" and "Challenges" in Tea Ceremony Tea ceramics are subject to certain constraints as they are used in the tea ceremony. While practicality is important, they must also be beautiful enough to be appreciated. However, for tea ceramic artists, these "constraints" are not simply a framework; they also represent a challenge in the pursuit of their own unique aesthetics and artistic expression. Ichino Masahiko is an artist who fully understands these constraints, yet produces works that bring out the fullest expression without violating them. "Shiratanba-no-Kai" is a piece that clearly demonstrates this creative attitude; while being a practical tea bowl, it is filled with aesthetic elements that delight the viewer's eyes.

While Ichino respects the traditional values ​​required for recognition in the world of tea ceremony ceramics, he does not stop there and instead pursues new aesthetic forms. The simple design of the "Shiratanba" is imbued with a meticulously calculated beauty that takes into consideration the feel when held in the hand and ease of use during the tea ceremony. This piece not only serves its purpose as a vessel for drinking tea, but also emanates a special presence for the user.

The evolution of Ichino Masahiko's pottery making : His pottery making career began in earnest in the late 1980s. Initially, in order to create works that clearly reflected his own intentions, he thoroughly controlled the characteristics of the clay and meticulously crafted even the expression of the work. Ichino's interest then shifted from form to pattern, and he began to explore the relationship between pattern and form in the entire work. This change indicates the evolution of his work, and points to a path towards more free expression, not being bound by the framework of tea ceremony pottery.

His first work, "Kai" (Opening), won him the Grand Prize and the Chichibunomiya Cup at the 1995 Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. This work combines his tireless pursuit of sculptural beauty with an expression that makes the most of the natural properties of clay. With this award, Ichino's name became widely known, but his evolution has continued ever since. He is constantly challenging himself in new areas and striving to create works that go beyond existing boundaries.

Tamba ware tradition and family influence: Ichino grew up watching his father, Ichino Shinsui I, a master Tamba ware craftsman. While carrying on the tradition of Tamba ware, he himself studied ceramics at university, and after graduating, he studied under Imai Masayuki. There, he learned the teaching that "there is no such thing as a bad clay." This is the philosophy that if you understand the characteristics of the clay and make the most of them, you can create wonderful works using any clay. During his approximately five years of training under Imai Masayuki, Ichino was involved in every detail of the work, from clay preparation to firing in the kiln, and learned firing methods suited to the characteristics of the clay.

Returning to his hometown in 1986, Ichino learned the techniques of potter's wheel and kiln firing under his father, and in 1988 went independent and founded Taiga Kiln (later renamed Taiga Studio). Around this time, he began submitting his work to nationwide public ceramic exhibitions, gradually gaining recognition. Eventually, he won the Grand Prize at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, which spread his name both domestically and internationally, and Ichino's work became widely known.

The aesthetics embodied in "White Tanba Ware" At the heart of the work's aesthetic is the philosophy of drawing out the natural power of clay and controlling it with human skill and sensibility. In particular, the simple contrast of black and white stands out in "White Tanba Ware," making a strong impression on the viewer. In shaping the pieces on the potter's wheel, Ichino respects the shape that the clay naturally takes, while also utilizing his own unique techniques to guide it towards the form he desires. This delicate balance is beautifully expressed in "White Tanba Ware," and its unique form evokes a beauty that transcends the boundaries of traditional tea pottery.

Looking to the future of tea ceremony ceramics , Ichino Masahiko is an artist who is always challenging himself to find new forms of expression while preserving tradition. His masterpieces go beyond practical use in the world of tea ceremony and offer new perspectives on contemporary ceramics. "Hakutanba-no-Kai" is one such example, and as a work that looks to the future of tea ceremony ceramics, it leaves a deep impression on users and viewers alike.

Ichino's works are a fusion of tradition and innovation, and the power of technology and nature, and their beauty will continue to be cherished throughout the ages. His challenges and explorations in the world of tea ceremony ceramics will continue, and he will surely continue to break new ground. "Shiratanba" is a piece that embodies the creativity of Masahiko Ichino, and can be said to be a symbolic masterpiece that has expanded the boundaries of tea ceremony ceramics.

Masahiko Ichino Pottery History
1961 Born in Tanba Sasayama City, Hyogo Prefecture
1981 Graduated from the Department of Ceramics at Saga College of Art and Design. Studied under Masayuki Imai (father, the first Shinsui)
1988 Became independent and established Taiga Kiln (renamed Taiga Kobo in 2015)
1995 Grand Prize and Chichibunomiya Trophy at the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition
1998 NHK Ceramics Exploration Exhibition (Nihonbashi Takashimaya, Tokyo, etc.)
1999 Overseas Tour: Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition (Organized by the Japan Foundation, toured South America)
100 Selected Japanese Crafts Now (Mitsukoshi Etoile Paris, Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi, etc.)
2000 Tea Ceremony - Contemporary Art Exhibition (Helsinki Art Museum, Finland)
International Ceramic Art Exchange Exhibition (China Art Museum, Beijing)
Hyogo Prefecture Art Encouragement Award
2001 Asian Art Exhibition (Katie Jones Gallery, London)
2002 Asian International Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition (Taipei County Yingge Ceramics Museum, Taiwan)
2003 Contemporary Korean-Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition (Kumho Museum of Art, Seoul, Korea)
2004 Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition V from Sanyo and San'in Road (Higashihiroshima Municipal Museum of Art)
2006 2005 Japan Ceramic Society Award (Commemorative exhibition at Wako, Ginza)
2007 Hyogo Ceramics - Something is here now (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
Paramita Ceramic Art Grand Prize Exhibition, Second Prize (Paramita Museum, Mie)
Invitation to Contemporary Ceramics - Japan and Europe (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
Kobe City Cultural Encouragement Award
2008 Contemporary Ceramics - Life & Art - Colored with Ceramic (Higashihiroshima Municipal Museum of Art)
Gwangju Biennale Japan-Korea Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition (Korean National Museum)
2009 Created a work as an invited artist at Shiga Ceramic Cultural Park
2010 Contemporary Tea -Freedom of Form- (Kikuchi Kanmi Memorial Museum Tomo, Tokyo)
Perspectives on Contemporary Crafts - Tea Ceremonies (Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Crafts Gallery)
2011 Expanding the horizons of contemporary ceramics (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
Contemporary Craft Art Fair (Tokyo International Forum)
Tea Ceremony - Contemporary Form and Design (Gallery Voice, Gifu)
Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Award
2012 Contemporary Art - Life & Art - Touchable Vessels (Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art)
2013 Contemporary Ceramics - The Way of Expression - (Higashihiroshima Municipal Museum of Art)
20 Years of Artist-in-Residence at Shiga Ceramic Cultural Park (Shiga Ceramic Cultural Park)
2014 Identity and Originality (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
2015 Tea - Today's Arrangements (Sapporo Art Park Crafts Museum)
Modern Crafts and the Tea Ceremony (Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Crafts Gallery)
Renowned Artist Invitation Project: Masahiko Ichino - Trajectory in Tamba (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
2016 Hollow Forms - Masahiko Ichino Ceramic Exhibition UTUWA (Paramita Museum, Mie)
As the Earth Wills - Masahiko Ichino Exhibition (LIXIL Gallery, Tokyo)
Modern Crafts and the Tea Ceremony II (Tokyo National Museum of Modern Art, Crafts Gallery)
Yakishime - Transformation of Clay Exhibition (Japan Foundation, currently touring 12 countries)
2017 Mitsukoshi Art Museum 110th Anniversary HORPS Next Generation 100 Selections Exhibition (Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store)
The Present of Tea Ceremony - 2018 Hagi (Yamaguchi Prefectural Hagi Museum and Urakami Memorial Hall)
2020 National Museum of Modern Art Ishikawa Relocation Commemorative Exhibition - The Art of Crafts - Materials, Techniques, and Soil
(National Museum of Modern Art, Ishikawa)
2021 From Tamba to TAMBA - Masahiko Ichino Exhibition (Midorigaoka Museum of Art, Nara)
Modern Crafts and Tea Ceremony Utensils - Decorations for the Four Seasons (National Crafts Museum)
2022 Ceramics Connecting to the Future: The Power of Traditional Crafts (National Museum of Modern Art, etc.)
− Public Collection −
National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo, Higashihiroshima Municipal Museum of Art, Shiga Ceramic Cultural Park, Tabe Museum of Art (Shimane), Marunuma Art Park (Saitama)
Midorigaoka Museum of Art (Nara), Independent Administrative Institution Japan Foundation
Brooklyn Museum (USA), New Orleans Museum of Art (USA)
Crocker Art Museum (USA)
Los Angeles County Rakuma (USA)