White Tanba Tea Bowl by Takeshi Shimizu

Height: 12.7cm Width: 9.5cm

The rare beauty of Shiratanba

"Shiratanba tea bowl made by Tsuyoshi Shimizu" is a piece that stands out for its rare white color. Shiratanba was created in the middle to late Edo period, and at that time in Japan, soil with a high iron content was the norm, so it was very difficult to make white pottery. Tsuyoshi Shimizu has inherited the tradition of Shiratanba while bringing out a beauty that is appropriate for the modern era.

The technique of Kohiki

This white Tanba tea bowl is made using a technique called Kohiki, which involves applying white mud. This technique, developed in the late Edo period, allows for a beautiful white surface even with clay that is high in iron. The smooth white color created by the Kohiki technique gives the bowl an elegant shine and brings out the vibrant green of the matcha.

Soil made using the blessings of nature

Tsuyoshi Shimizu dug up the soil himself and discovered Shirotanba clay. Shirotanba clay is fired at a high temperature of 1230℃, which brings out its beautiful white color and durability. Firing at this high temperature not only makes the tea bowl very durable and long-lasting, but also ensures that its beauty is perpetually maintained.

History and traditions of the Edo period

Unlike Mino ware and Shigaraki, Shirotanba does not produce white clay, and developed uniquely in the middle and late Edo period. This Shirotanba tea bowl was created during the Edo period when it was difficult to produce white pottery, and it is a piece that gives a sense of the technological innovation and aesthetic sense of the time. Tsuyoshi Shimizu's Shirotanba tea bowl is a valuable piece that conveys this history and tradition to the present day.

Craftsmanship and artistry

This white Tanba tea bowl was completed by Tsuyoshi Shimizu with his outstanding technique and artistic sensibility. From the selection of the clay to the Kohiki technique and firing process, every step of the process is intricately crafted. When you hold it in your hand, you can feel the high level of craftsmanship and aesthetic sense, and you will discover something new every time you use it.

Create a special moment

This tea bowl will make your tea ceremony even more special. The beautiful white color of the white tanba tea bowl brings a special atmosphere to the tea ceremony space and gives you a comfortable sense of satisfaction. You will be captivated by its beauty and functionality every time you use it. Tsuyoshi Shimizu's white tanba tea bowl will turn your tea ceremony time into a special experience.

Lasting Value

Tsuyoshi Shimizu's works continue to retain their beauty even over time. This white Tanba tea bowl is also a masterpiece that can be used for a long time and will become a lifelong treasure. The more you use it, the more its texture will improve and you will gradually grow to love it more. Tsuyoshi Shimizu's white Tanba tea bowl is a valuable piece that will continue to be loved by generations.

Please enjoy the beauty and ease of use of the "Shiratanba Tea Bowl by Tsuyoshi Shimizu" by having it at hand. It is a superb item that will turn your everyday tea ceremony into something special.

Biography
Born in Tachikui, Hyogo Prefecture in 1975
1999 Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Department of Crafts, majoring in ceramics. Studied under ceramic artists Masayuki Imai and Masamasa
2005 Worked at the Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo (until 2012)
2010 - 2011 Part-time lecturer at Hyogo University of Teacher Education
2015: Travelled to Canada (Owata, Vancouver) through a Ministry of Foreign Affairs program
2019 Lecture at the Japan-Korea Academic Symposium (Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Museum/Korea, '16)

Main Exhibitions/Public Exhibitions
2010 Biennale KUMAMOTO FINAL (Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art)
2012 Kyoto Prefecture Fine Arts and Crafts New Artists Exhibition, Kyoto Arts and Crafts Biennale (Kyoto Museum of Art)
2013: Selected for the 22nd Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition ('11)
2014 Gwangju Biennale (Gwangju Folk Museum/Korea)
2016 Exhibition of crafts from UCCN in the field of Crafts & Folk Art
(Icheon World Ceramic Center/Korea)
2017 Ischawan, One World: International Artists Chawan Ren Exhibition (Ryudo Makoto/Taiwan)
2018 2018 TEA BOWL Exhibition of Gyeongsanam-Do (Gyeongsanam Cultural Center/Korea)
150 Years of Hyogo Ceramics - From Technique and Craftsmanship to Art and Individuality (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
2019 KOGEI Art Fair KANAZAWA 2019 (THE SHARE HOTELS KUMU Kanazawa)
2022: Selected for the 39th Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition (Tabe Museum of Art/Shimane) (6 times in total)
Selected for the 10th Kikuchi Biennale in 2023 (Kikuchi Kanji Memorial Museum Tomo/Tokyo)

Awards
2010 Contemporary Ceramic Art Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition 2010 (Hagi Museum of Art, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Urakami Memorial Museum) Honorable Mention
2011 57th All Kansai Art Exhibition (Osaka Municipal Museum of Fine Arts) Honorable Mention (2009 same award)
Kobe Biennale 2011 Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition Encouragement Award (2009 same award)
2017 Hyogo Prefectural Art Encouragement Award
2018: 11th Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition, Excellence Award 23rd Mino Tea Bowl Exhibition, Gold Award
2019 12th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition Excellence Award 5th Geibunkyo Exhibition Kyoto City Mayor Award
2023 15th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition Excellence Award