Blue porcelain tea bowl Masao Tagai

Width: 13.3cm x 13.3cm Height: 7.0cm

This piece is a translucent celadon tea bowl with a subtle bluish-gray hue, known as "shadow blue." In contrast to the gorgeous ice-cracking and cracking patterns in the bowl, this bowl features extremely subtle, subdued "micro-crazing," bringing to the forefront a sense of tranquil white space. The glaze is thick, and when light is shone through it, a pale blue hue can be seen floating beneath the clear, milky layer, creating a charming soft hue reminiscent of the sky after rain. A slight hint of faint iron rust appears on the rim, adding a wabi (traditional Japanese aesthetic) to the clarity characteristic of celadon.

molding

The bowl-shaped design starts with a slightly taut rim and continues to round down to the body. The curve at the base is gentle, making it easier for the foam to rise evenly when the tea whisk is turned. The base is very low, and by narrowing inwards, the vessel is stabilized while giving it a light and airy impression. Mr. Tagai adjusted the carving to create "shadows that cling to the palm of your hand," and when you actually hold it in your hand, the slight bulge at the base fits comfortably in your fingers.

glaze

By adjusting the iron powder , we aim to achieve a color that is one level paler than Ryusen-style celadon. By using a process called "reduction removal" that causes slight oxidation in the latter half of the firing, we have achieved a clear blue-gray color that eliminates any reddish tinge.

Slight penetration

By mixing a good balance of feldspar and silica sand in the clay and matching the expansion coefficient to the glaze, it creates fine crazes that are difficult to see with the naked eye. With repeated use, the tea gradually seeps into the pot, developing a hazy, cloud-like pattern.

Iron rim

The base is thinly scraped away only around the rim, leaving the glaze unapplied, and then reduced iron is drawn to the surface during firing, creating a subtle brown color. This tightens the entire vessel and visually emphasizes the blue of the inside.

history

Unlike the "Rain After the Sky Blue" porcelain, which is symbolized by masterpieces from the Ru wares of the Song dynasty, this piece is modeled after the pale color of "Shadow Blue (Jingdezhen Shadow Blue)," which flourished in the late Southern Song dynasty. Shadow Blue is a subtle blue color achieved by applying a thin blue glaze over a white porcelain base, and was introduced to Japan via Zen temples after the Kamakura period. Masao Tagai has reconstructed this tranquility into a modern tea bowl, presenting a Japanese interpretation that embraces wabi (traditional Japanese aesthetic) and sabi (tranquility).

Tea ceremony ideas

Thick tea : The jade-green liquid surface stands out against the pale blue background of the vessel, creating a scene reminiscent of a spring in a secluded valley.

Light brown : The white foam and blue glaze overlap to create a soft sea of ​​clouds. A faint pool of light in the center of the bowl draws the attention of guests.

Changes over time : After several dozen servings, the fine crazing will become stained with tea, a pale yellowish-brown haze will appear, and the appearance of the vessel will deepen.

6. Tips for viewing and using

Glaze layering : When strong light is shone on it at an angle, very thin layers are visible in the glaze, giving the impression of a blue gradation.

Iron rust on the rim : This is the part that is prone to attracting matcha, so it gradually becomes more lustrous black, emphasizing the contrast between blue and brown.

A sense of unity with the palm : The rounded body fits easily in the hand, helping to stabilize the fit of the garment.

This work by Masao Tagai eschews flashy scenes and instead quietly reflects the "pale light between the clouds" characteristic of celadon. It reinterprets the poetic sentiment of Song celadon and presents in a modern way the beauty of "white space" so highly valued in the Japanese tea ceremony, leaving viewers with a quiet, lingering impression. Please enjoy the subtle crazing and iron rim that develop with use over the years.