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

Width: Approx. 7.5cm Height: Approx. 3.5cm

Katakuchi Brushwork (Small, Set of Five) - Takahashi Michihachi, IX

The light traces of white clay brush strokes on the pale gray glaze, and the elegant katakuchi-shaped bowls that fit comfortably in the palm of your hand - this set of small bowls was created by Michihachi Takahashi to propose "beauty of utility" to the modern dining table. Below, we will introduce their appeal in detail from five perspectives.

1. Beauty of form - Small size gives it a cute and stable appearance

Each bowl has a diameter of about 7cm and a shallow depth, with a neat base that gives it a sense of lightness and stability. When lined up on a tray or a dining table, the beaks of each bowl face in different directions, creating a rhythm like a five-petaled flower, adding a gorgeous touch to the table.

2. Glaze tones and brush marks - A light contrast created by ash glaze and white clay

The gray glaze that covers the clay body is a moist semi-glossy glaze with a delicate tone that takes on a slight bluish tinge depending on the angle from which it is viewed. In contrast, the white clay, which was applied in one go with a thick brush from inside to outside, retains the brushstrokes with a sense of speed, creating a simple yet dynamic scene. The natural stripes created by the flow of the glaze and the brush strokes overlap, allowing you to enjoy a different look for each piece.

3. Katakuchi beak: function and design come together

The small protruding beak has a slight indentation to allow liquid to drain easily. It is also practical, making it easy to pour dashi soy sauce, vinegared marinade, olive oil, etc. In addition, by placing your fingers on the beak, you can hold the vessel firmly, making it easy to handle.

4. Techniques: The art of wheel-throwing and improvisational brushwork

After using delicate wheel-throwing techniques to grind the clay into a thin, uniform shape, the piece is brushed with white mud while it is still semi-dry before bisque firing. After drying and bisque firing, the piece is dipped in ash glaze, and finally fired to create a transparent glaze surface. The brushed areas are covered with a thin layer of glaze, creating a pleasant texture where the unevenness of the white mud can be felt with your fingertips.

5. Historical and cultural background – Brush marks and the spirit of folk kilns

Brushwork originated in the Buncheong ware of the late Yi Dynasty in Korea, and was also a beloved technique in local kilns across Japan. The "improvised beauty" of bold brushstrokes was in line with the theories of the Mingei Movement led by Yanagi Muneyoshi, and pointed to the beauty that resides in everyday tableware. Takahashi Michihachi, a renowned Kyoto ware color painting master, has inherited that spirit and reinterpreted it with simple forms and nuanced colors that look great on the modern dining table.

The Takahashi Dohachi family has been known as a prestigious Kyoto ware color painting family since the late Edo period. The ninth generation master graduated from the Department of Clothing Design at Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, majored in design, and then went on to the Department of Molding and Research at 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 ninth Takahashi Dohachi.

His style, which combines the sense of form cultivated in clothing design with the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware, has breathed new life into the Dohachi family of pottery and displays a sophistication that stands out in modern tea ceremonies and gallery spaces.

These five palm-sized katakuchi bowls are suitable for a wide range of dishes, from small appetizer bowls to fruit sauces for dessert, and lightly decorate the table like a five-colored presentation. The serenity of the ash glaze and the space created by the dynamic brush strokes will accentuate the colors of the food, and add a little joy to the act of pouring and scooping. We hope you will use them for a long time and enjoy the individual brush strokes engraved into each bowl and the reliable wheel-turning techniques of Takahashi Michihachi.