Tenmoku glaze katakuchi by Okada Yu

Width: 13.0cm Height: 7.0cm

Tenmoku-yu Katakuchi by Masaru Okada -- "A night katakuchi with a single vein of water gliding through the black lapis lazuli that has been submerged in starry skies."

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Overview of the Work

The deep lapis lazuli black of the Tenmoku glaze is reminiscent of the Jianzhan of the Song Dynasty. A pale pink flame from the reducing flame runs faintly along the rim, and a green-gray band like a mist spreads from the center of the body. The modestly extended beak is as delicate as the bow of a moon-shaped boat cutting through the water. This is a versatile piece of pottery that can be used as a tea cooler, a sake cup for drinking, or a pouring bowl for food.

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The mysterious beauty of Tenmoku glaze

Stardust on Silver Sand : Iron crystals emit a faint light on the surface and twinkle like stardust depending on the angle of the light.

Green-gray mist band : A pale jade green lies on the boundary where reduction and oxidation intersect, reminiscent of the surface of a dark lake.

Pale pink fire : The glaze that has accumulated on the rim takes on a reddish purple hue due to the reduction flame, breathing warmth into the darkness.

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The artist's perspective

Born in Gojozaka, Kiyomizu, Okada Masaru works with fire in Sumiyama, Uji. The wind blowing across the foot of the mountain at midnight, the lake surface reflecting the starlight - he seals those memories in black glaze and faint kiln changes, drawing a wind path with his beak. His production philosophy of "letting the wind blow gently inside and outside the vessel" is alive in this small katakuchi.

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Conclusion

If you gently tilt the starlit night katakuchi in your palm, the shimmering silver sand and the lingering light pink color will slide into the cup or tea bowl. The Tenmoku glaze katakuchi will envelop your moment with a drink or a bowl in the poetry of the night sky, and will add a quiet depth to seasonal sake, hot water, and soup stock.