Lid holder black glaze cloisonné Dohachi Takahashi

Width: 5.6cm Height: 5.6cm

This "Black Glazed Shippo Openwork" lid rest, by Takahashi Michihachi IX, features gold and blue glaze patterns floating against the depths of the black glaze, creating an impression of both majesty and splendor. The classic Shippo (seven-pronged) pattern is carved into a three-dimensional openwork composition, and the contrast between gold and black is striking, making it a work that truly represents the pinnacle of Kyoto ware. Below, we will introduce its appeal and the background to its design in detail from five perspectives.

1. Beauty of Form - A fusion of precision and stability

The design is based on a stable cylindrical shape, with openwork cloisonné patterns encircling the top. The lower part is decorated with a firm surface of black glaze, creating a clear contrast between the top and bottom. The curves of the cloisonné patterns are balanced yet soft, giving the impression of an organic flow. Thin gold borders on the top and bottom edges tighten the design, giving the overall impression of elegance.

2. Glaze - A trio of black, indigo, and gold

The black glaze has a depth close to jet black, and exudes a tranquil quality that seems to absorb light. The openwork areas are indigo glaze, and the contrast with the white background makes the cloisonné pattern stand out in three dimensions. Furthermore, gold leaf borders the key areas, shining as if light is filtering through the black and indigo. The shadows created by the three layers of color are reminiscent of stars twinkling in the night sky, and they have a special presence in the light of a tea ceremony.

3. Design - The symbol of permanence and harmony embodied in Shippo

Shippo is an auspicious design consisting of a chain of circular rings, signifying "harmony," "unity," and "eternal connections." It has been a popular design in dyeing and weaving, lacquerware, and ceramics since ancient times, but in this piece, it is expressed using openwork carving, giving the pattern itself a sense of "space." As light passes through, the rings of shippo appear to breathe, projecting infinite harmony amid the light and darkness of the tea ceremony.

4. Technique: The balance between delicate openwork and gold leaf

The openwork pattern is precisely carved out during the drying stage, and after glazing, blue glaze is applied in sections to accentuate the depth. The firing temperature for black glaze is extremely high, and precise temperature control is required to fix the gold color without damaging the luster of the glaze. In particular, the precision with which the gold lines are kept uniform in width without disrupting the overall harmony is a testament to the technical skill unique to the Dohachi family. Here you can find the "beauty of precision" where tradition and innovation coexist.

5. Historical and Cultural Background - Shippomon and the Spirit of the Tea Ceremony

The Shippo pattern was introduced to Japan during the Nara period and is revered in Buddhist art as a symbol of the "Seven Treasures" - gold, silver, lapis lazuli, crystal, coral, agate, and pearl. In the tea ceremony, Shippo is often chosen for seasonal utensils from autumn to winter, symbolizing harmony, harmonious unity, and rebirth, and bringing a serene sense of harmony to the tea ceremony. This piece reconstructs that symbolism in a modern way, embodying the eternal cycle of beauty through the contrast between the serenity of the black glaze and the brilliance of the gold leaf.

The 9th generation Takahashi Dohachi studied aesthetics with a background in fashion design, studied under the 8th generation in 1996, and succeeded to the 9th generation in 2012. As a Kyoto ware artist who bridges the gap between tradition and modern design, he has created a unique world with his advanced techniques and keen aesthetic sense.

This piece, "Black Glaze Shippo Transparent," is a refined piece with the brilliance of gold and indigo that dwells within the tranquil black, reminiscent of the night sky.
In the light of the tea ceremony, the cloisonné pattern shines through and stands out, making this a modern-day masterpiece of a lid rest, symbolizing eternal harmony.