Straw white glaze tea bowl Nishidansei

Width: 13.4cm Depth: 13.0cm Height: 10.7cm

Straw white glaze tea bowl (warajiroyu chawan) by Nishibata Masashi - The undulating petal-like ridges reflect the mysterious snow-white color

The depth of the straw-white glaze is reminiscent of pure snow

The straw white glaze covering this piece has a pure white texture that seems to capture the clear snowy scenery, while also bearing mottled patterns here and there caused by the iron contained in the straw ash. The contrast between black and white is tranquil, yet gives the surface a subtle shadow and a sense of warmth, drawing the viewer's attention. The fine crazing hidden in the glaze will deepen the expression of the piece as tea soaks into it over time.

Six undulating shapes resembling overlapping petals

The rim is gently wavy like a six-petal flower, and the body is engraved with nearly vertical undulations. This design allows the fingertips to naturally rest along the ridges, making the vessel stable in the palm of the hand. Every time the light touches the ridges, the shadows are accentuated, and in the soft light of the tea ceremony, the movement is reminiscent of the opening and closing of the petals, creating an outstanding effect.

Three-dimensional expression that makes use of the earthiness of Tamba ware

The base is made of rough clay from Tanba, which contains a moderate amount of iron. Dark brown particles seep out from under the glaze, adding depth to the white glaze. Furthermore, Nishibata Tadashi maximizes the plasticity of the clay, maintaining a thickness that does not collapse while leaving finger marks, achieving both a sculptural three-dimensional effect and the robustness of a useful vessel.

A beauty of form that combines stillness and movement

When you turn the bowl around, the serenity of the snow and the dynamism of the mountain ridges emerge at the same time. The undulating exterior casts a powerful shadow, while the soft curves of the interior gently reflect the tea bubbles. When you pour strong tea, the white glaze reflects the dark brown water, while when you pour thin tea, you can enjoy the delicate color changes created by the pale green and ink spots.

Practicality and beauty in harmony

The curved edge of the bowl makes it smooth to the touch, and the spacious interior does not impede the movement of the chasen. The stable base and moderate thickness make it suitable for a wide range of uses, from everyday use to formal tea ceremonies. As you use it, the crazing in the straw white glaze gradually soaks up the tea, allowing you to enjoy the process of how the scenery develops.

Innovation based on tradition

Based on earth and ash, which are rooted in the history of Tamba ware, this work breaks new ground with its bold form resembling a six-petal flower, and is the crystallization of Nishihata Tadashi's innovative spirit. The rich expressions hidden within the "pure" white color and the functional beauty represented by the comfortable feel in the hand speak of the value of this work as a sculpture that goes beyond a tea bowl.

The pure white and lingering ink speckles, the undulating ridges evoking a hint of flowers - this tea bowl reflects a sense of life flickering in silence, adding a profound story to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of tea ceremony. By cherishing it for a long time, the scenery of the straw white glaze will become even richer, and it will become a companion that will age with you.

Masashi Nishibata Biography

Born on February 24, 1948. Started making pottery in 1969. 1976. Hyogo Prefectural Exhibition Encouragement Award. 1986. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition for the first time. 1988. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Japan Crafts Association President's Award. 1989. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Handon no Kai, Nogawa Memorial Award. 1991. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. 1992. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition, Excellence Award, Hyogo Prefecture Emerging Artist Encouragement Award. Invited to exhibit at the NHK-sponsored Paris-Japanese Ceramics Now 100 Selections, Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. 1993. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Solo Exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima Store, Kyoto Chemin. 1994. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. 1995. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Solo Exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima Store. 1996. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Awarded the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
1997 Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition 1998 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2000 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Fukuoka 2001 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2002 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2003 Solo exhibition at Santa Fe Touchingston, USA 2004 Father and son exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition 2005 Exhibited at Akashi City Museum of Culture and Hyogo Ceramics Exhibition Purchased Akadobedai, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi 2006 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Japan Society Gallery of New York Solo exhibition at Takashimaya Yokohama Touchingston, USA Father and son exhibition at Takashimaya Matsuyama 2007 Toshun-kai Exhibition, Sogo Yokohama Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2008 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA Toshun-kai Exhibition, Funabashi Seibu Sogo Hiroshima Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition 2009 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Dojima, Sendai Mitsukoshi 2010 Sogo Kobe Exhibited at the Musee Tomo Grand Prize Exhibition, Contemporary Tea Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Touchingston, USA, Santa Fe, 2011 Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Joan B. Marvis, New York, USA Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition 2013 Exhibited at the Musee Tomo "Contemporary Famous Bowls" Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, USA Miyazaki Gallery, Sogo Kobe Chiba Sogo 2014 Solo Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, USA 2015 Received the Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Award in 2016. Exhibited at Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art for Ceramics that Color Our Lives - Food Wares. Exhibited at Joan B. Marvis' 40th Anniversary Exhibition in 2017.
Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in 2018

A conversation with Masashi Nishibata