Tea bowl black glaze gold white crane Dohachi Takahashi

Width: 12.1cm Height: 7.98cm

This work, created by Takahashi Michihachi IX (born 1973, second daughter of the eighth generation), is a gorgeous tea bowl with a jet-black glaze and a dancing crane pattern in gold and white. Below, we will introduce its appeal from five perspectives and provide a brief biography of the artist.

The elegance and gentleness of a female writer

This piece has an exquisite volume that makes it easy to brew rich matcha. The body, turned on a potter's wheel, is based on a dignified cylindrical shape, while the slight curve that opens towards the rim creates a soft impression. The base is neatly cut slightly higher, and the contrast with the white base tightens the overall look.

Oil droplets floating on jet black

The black glaze is not simply jet black; a subtle oil droplet pattern emerges all over the piece due to the skillful firing process that alternates between oxidation and reduction. The subtle glow when lit indoors is particularly beautiful in the dim light of a tea room, dramatically enhancing the green of the matcha.

Golden Crane and White Crane Group Dance

The crane encircling the body is a classic motif symbolizing good fortune and longevity. The composition, with a golden crane painted in overglaze gold at the center and surrounded by white cranes in overglaze gold flapping its wings, creates a splendid image reminiscent of a celebratory occasion. The ninth generation's solid drawing skills fully express the elegance of the crane with minimalist linework.

A duet of gold on white overglaze

Gold is applied to the white overglaze and then fired again at a low temperature to set it in place. The white overglaze applied on top of the black glaze is prone to uneven coloring and carries the risk of peeling. Skilled brushwork is particularly essential to achieve a uniform white finish for the delicate lines of the crane. Furthermore, applying gold over the set white design requires precise control of brush pressure and firing temperature, and care must be taken to avoid distortion caused by the second firing. The ninth generation, Takahashi Michihachi, truly shines through with his years of experience and advanced skills.

history

The Takahashi Dohachi family has been known as a prestigious Kyoto ware colored ware family since the late Edo period. The ninth generation master graduated from Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, majoring in fashion design, and then went on to study molding and research at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Technical College, and further solidified his technical foundation at the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute.

In 1996, he began to study pottery under his father, Dohachi Yashiro, and began making pottery in earnest.

In 2012, he took on the name of the 9th Takahashi Dohachi

His style, which combines the sense of form cultivated through clothing design with the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware, breathes new life into the Dohachika style and displays a refinement that stands out in modern tea ceremony and gallery spaces.

This piece, with gold and white cranes dancing against a jet-black glaze, is a masterpiece that combines visual solemnity with practical beauty. It is light to hold, and the soft texture of the black glaze and the subtle indentations of the gold filigree delight the fingertips, further enhancing the richness of the tea ceremony. It has the power to instantly elevate the tea room into a festive atmosphere, whether used for special occasions or everyday practice. We hope you will treasure it for many years to come, and enjoy the elegance woven together by the ingenuity and tradition of the 9th generation Takahashi Michihachi.