Katakuchi Brush Stroke (Medium, Set of Five) by Dohachi Takahashi

Width: Approx. 12cm Height: Approx. 4cm

This is a set of five medium-sized bowls with a soft grayish-gray glaze featuring bold white brush strokes and adorable accents of small katakuchi beaks. Below, we will introduce the appeal of this piece in detail from five perspectives.

The rhythm and practicality of "katakuchi" sake

The cups are palm-sized, with a diameter of approximately 12 cm, and feature a low rise and a relaxed design. The protruding parts of the katakuchi cup allow each of the five cups to rotate, creating a rhythmic movement on the table. They are also drip-resistant, making them suitable for a wide range of uses, including as small serving dishes for vinegared dishes, dressings, and dashi.

Ash glaze and white clay depict movement

The clay body is covered with ash glaze, and then slightly dry white clay is applied in a single arc with a thick brush, creating a "brushed" technique. The white clay roughly intertwines with the moist luster of the ash glaze, and the dynamic brush strokes remain on the surface of the vessel, creating a sense of both simplicity and dynamism. The iron powder and subtle fire color that appear after firing add warmth to the quiet color of the ash glaze.

Small sculptures that embody functional beauty

The small beaks are hollowed out and finished thinly to allow for good pouring. When the pot is tilted, the white brush marks overlap with the trajectory of the liquid, visually enhancing the act of pouring. When all five are lined up, each beak points in a different direction, creating a gorgeous effect reminiscent of a five-petaled flower in bloom.

Turning the potter's wheel and improvisation

The clay is shaped thinly on a potter's wheel, and after bisque firing, white clay is applied improvisationally with a brush, maintaining the unique character of each piece. When the transparent ash glaze is applied during the main firing, a thin layer of glaze is applied to the brush marks, giving the white clay a slightly rough texture, and the finished product allows you to feel the "breath of the clay" both to the touch and to the sight.

History - "Brush marks" and the inheritance of folk art

Brush strokes were introduced to Japan through the Buncheong ware of the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea, and were a beloved technique in Raku ware of the Edo period and in folk kilns across the country. The "improvised beauty" brought about by bold brushstrokes was highly praised in the folk art movement advocated by Yanagi Muneyoshi and others. Takahashi Michihachi, a renowned Kyoto ware color painting master, has incorporated these simple techniques and elevated them to a refined style that fits in with modern dining tables.

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, which combines the serenity of the ash glaze with the dynamism of the white brushstrokes, offers both the space to enhance the food and the undeniable warmth of handcrafted work. Its katakuchi shape makes it versatile enough to be used as both a pouring vessel and a small bowl, and lining up five of them creates a sense of rhythm and unity at the dinner table or over drinks. We hope you will treasure it for many years to come, and savor the "instantaneous brushstrokes" etched into the brushstrokes and the exceptional beauty of Takahashi Michihachi's work.