Tenmoku glaze katakuchi by Okada Yu

Width: 14.8cm x 13.0cm Height: 7.4cm

Tenmoku-yu Katakuchi by Okada Masaru - "The black lapis lazuli that fills the night sky scoops up a ray of moonlight."

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Overview of the Work

The deep lapis lazuli black Tenmoku glaze is dotted with silver sand-like faint light, and a faint purple runs along the rim. The beak that extends to one side is delicate, as if scooping up moon drops. It can be used as a water cooler at a tea ceremony, or as a tokkuri at a sake ceremony - a multi-purpose katakuchi that pours out quiet darkness and soft light.

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The mysterious beauty of Tenmoku glaze

Stardust-like iron crystals are scattered on the jet-black glaze, reflecting a dull silver light whenever the light hits it. A pale blue color dissolves in the inside of the glaze, transforming the poured liquid into a lake of the night sky with a sense of tranquility. Over time, the ingredients of tea and sake sink slightly into the glaze, giving the black color even more depth.

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A look at history

Tenmoku glaze, which originated in Jianzhan of the Song Dynasty, was brought to Japan by Zen monks and became associated with the aesthetic of wabi, which appreciates darkness and light. By transferring that mysterious quality to the everyday katakuchi ware, Okada Masaru brings the idea of "transforming the landscape into the shape of the vessel" to the modern dining and tea tables. The beak represents the flowing wind, the silver sand represents the starlight, and the black glaze represents the night air - the natural time quietly flows within the vessel.

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Conclusion

A Tenmoku-yatsu katakuchi that pours moon drops into black lapis lazuli that embraces the starry sky. When you hold it in your palm and gently tilt it, the silver sand sparkles in the ripples on the liquid's surface, and the silence of the night flows like a single stream into the cup or tea bowl. Please enjoy the story of the night sky spun by this katakuchi for many years to come, along with seasonal sake, hot water, and soup stock.