Straw white glaze tea bowl Nishidansei

Width: 15.6cm Depth: 15.0cm Height: 11.0cm

Straw white glaze tea bowl by Nishibata Tadashi - The sharp folds reminiscent of origami reflect the poetry of snow white.

A quiet sense of tension created by the ink specks scattered across the pure white

The straw white glaze that envelops this piece is as clear and white as fresh snow, but is dotted with scattered ink-colored spots created by iron from the straw ash. The uneven dots give rhythm to the surface of the vessel, subtly revealing the earthenware and traces of fire hidden deep within the pure white. When exposed to light, the glaze layer becomes softly translucent, and the minute crazing is faintly revealed, giving the piece a charming appearance that changes with each viewing.

Dynamic form created by overlapping folds

Sharp creases run diagonally across the body, giving it a three-dimensional appearance reminiscent of an origami sculpture made from a single folded sheet of paper. Nishihata Tadashi pressed the plastic base material inward with his fingers and boldly pushed outward to form multiple folds. This causes the light to reflect differently on each side, creating a striking contrast in shadows every time the bowl is turned. When held in the palm of the hand, the fingers naturally fit into the creases, creating an outstanding combination of visual sharpness and softness to the touch.

The depth of the rough soil of Tanba

The base is made of rough clay from Tanba that contains iron, and dark brown particles are scattered and visible under the straw-white glaze. The black and white speckles are reminiscent of snowflakes dancing in the night sky, evoking a sense of tranquility and rustic charm in the viewer. The roughness of the clay contrasted with the soft luster of the straw-white glaze highlights the unique texture of Tanba ware.

A harmony of usability and aesthetics

The rim is slightly wavy, smoothing the feel on the mouth while creating a visually light rhythm. A large space is secured in the inside, allowing the movement of the tea whisk to be unhindered and naturally guiding the movements of the tea ceremony. The foot is neatly carved low, stabilizing the center of gravity of the entire vessel while also creating a modern appearance that fits in with modern table tea.

A design where tradition and innovation intersect

This work, which inherits the spirit of natural glaze inherited from Tamba ware, has opened up a new realm of expression with its origami-like form and pure white glaze, and can be said to be a symbol of Nishibata Tadashi's innovativeness. His ability to find rich variation in the minimal color of white and to combine the aesthetics of "stillness" with the dynamism of "motion" in the vessels is a unique charm of an artist who freely moves between traditional crafts and contemporary art.

The scenery deepens with time

The crazing that runs through the straw white glaze will show a subtle color as more tea is poured into it, allowing you to enjoy the pleasure of watching the vessel develop over the years. The faint tea stains that remain along the folds are like wind patterns carved into a snowy field, and the daily tea ceremonies will be engraved into the bowl as its "memories."

The beauty of the shape created by the sharp folds of origami and the tranquility of the pure white straw glaze - this tea bowl holds in the palm of your hand the story woven by the clay and fire of Tamba ware. When placed at a tea ceremony, it is an exceptional piece that brings about a lingering feeling of wind blowing through a snowy landscape, enhancing the depth of a once-in-a-lifetime moment. The longer you use it, the more the shadows of the crazing and the nuances of the ink spots will mature, and it will become a companion that reflects your own time.

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