Black glaze round pattern flower cloisonné tea bowl by Miyagawa Kosai

Height: 8.0cm Width: 12.0cm

The "Black Glazed Round Pattern Flower Shippo Tea Bowl by Miyagawa Kosai" is a matcha bowl with an especially beautiful and intricate design, even among tea ceremony utensils. The iron-rich glaze accentuates the deep black color, on which the delicate Shippo pattern and round motifs are applied. This piece is characterized by its well-balanced shape, which could be said to be the ideal form for a matcha bowl, and its iconic design, making it a representative example of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.

The beauty and techniques of black glaze

The black glaze used on this tea bowl contains a high amount of iron, which causes it to develop a deep black color during the firing process. The black glaze brings out the vibrant green of matcha, bringing visual beauty and tranquility to the tea ceremony. Furthermore, black glaze is one of the most technically challenging glazes in pottery, requiring temperature control during firing and adjustment of oxidation and reduction. Mastering this glaze requires many years of experience and skill, demonstrating the high level of Miyagawa Kosai's technical ability. The circular crests and cloisonné patterns painted on the black glaze are vibrantly painted against the black background, bringing vitality and elegance to the entire tea bowl.

The meaning and symbolism of Shippo patterns

The "shippo" pattern is a Buddhist term meaning "seven treasures." Originally a design reflecting Buddhist values, it has come to be widely used in Japan as a design symbolizing interpersonal connections, prosperity of descendants, and harmonious families. This pattern, featuring an infinite series of equally sized circles connected together, represents the eternal connection and ties between people. For this reason, the shippo pattern has been frequently used on tea utensils, costumes, architectural decorations, and more as an auspicious motif symbolizing harmony, fate, and connections. In particular, the shippo pattern on this tea bowl expresses the cherishing of "connections" in the world of tea ceremony, symbolizing the bonds between people at the tea ceremony. Shippo is also known as an auspicious crest symbolizing "infinite prosperity of descendants," and is considered auspicious for occasions such as weddings and housewarmings.

The beauty and tradition of round-patterned flower cloisonné

"Marumon Hana Shippo" is a design featuring flowers and plants in a circle, also known as "Hanamaru." Hanamaru is a classic pattern used in traditional clothing such as Noh costumes and kosode, characterized by its elegant design featuring floral and plant motifs. This pattern ranges from realistic to abstract, and has continued to be beloved throughout the ages, even as its form has changed over the ages. Marumon Hana Shippo is arranged in a balanced manner throughout the tea bowl, and more than being merely decorative, it evokes elements of the spirituality and aesthetic sense of Japanese culture. This design symbolizes the beauty of nature and harmony in human relationships, making it the perfect pattern for tea bowls used in the tea ceremony.

Miyagawa Kosai and the tradition of Makuzu ware

Miyagawa Kosai is a family that inherits the techniques of the prestigious Kyoto ware "Makuzu ware," a style whose history dates back to the Edo period. Miyagawa Yukan, the founder of the Miyagawa Kosai family, began pottery making in Kyoto between 1684 and 1687, and the Miyagawa family has continued to develop Kyoto ware techniques for generations. In particular, works using the "straw ash glaze" are one of the signature techniques of Makuzu ware, a glaze that has been continuously added to by the Miyagawa family for over 200 years. This tea bowl fully incorporates the Miyagawa family's traditional techniques, featuring intricate hand-painted designs and delicate glaze adjustments. Makuzu ware techniques are characterized by translucent glazes and intricate decorations, and works using colorful glazes, known as "iroe," are particularly highly acclaimed both domestically and internationally. Throughout its long history, Miyagawa family pottery has played a major role in the development of Japanese tea ceremony and sencha tea utensils.

Modern appreciation of Makuzu ware

The Miyagawa Kosai family's works are held in museums and private collectors both in Japan and abroad, and their beauty and craftsmanship continue to be highly valued. The "Black Glazed Round Pattern Flower Shippo Tea Bowl" in particular is a highly sought-after piece in the world of tea ceremony due to its design and ease of use. This tea bowl is not only used in tea ceremonies, but also attracts the attention of many people as a work of art, and is one of the reasons why the craftsmanship and aesthetic sense of Makuzu ware are highly regarded worldwide.

The Miyagawa Kosai family's work is highly acclaimed by ceramics enthusiasts and art museums around the world, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and China. Their works are housed in collections such as the Victoria & Albert Museum in London and the Permanent Mission of Japan to UNESCO in Paris. Many of their pieces are highly valued not only as practical tea ceremony utensils but also as art and crafts, making Makuzu ware increasingly prominent as a representative example of traditional Japanese crafts. This piece is a masterpiece that combines the traditions and techniques of Kyoto ware, harmonizing the deep color of its black glaze with the beauty of its cloisonné and circular crests. In the world of tea ceremony, this tea bowl is more than just a vessel; it quietly adds elegance to the tea ceremony as a symbol of human connections and ties. This tea bowl, a culmination of the Miyagawa Kosai family's long history and craftsmanship, is sure to continue to be beloved by many tea masters and art lovers.

A conversation with Miyagawa Kosai