Tanba Red Tea Bowl Nishitan Masashi

Width: 15.0cm Depth: 12.8cm Height: 10.2cm

Tanba Red Tea Bowl by Nishibata Masashi - Crimson seashore with embers erupting

Deep red skin with a lava-like texture

The scarlet color that covers the exterior of this piece was achieved through a two-stage firing process in which iron-rich Tanba clay is first strongly reduced to a dark brown color, and then oxidized towards the end. Unlike the glossiness of Akaraku, the rough texture that bears the marks of the embers stands out, reminiscent of the surface of cooled, hardened lava. The iron grains that do not completely melt are scattered here and there, creating tiny dark brown specks that give depth to the scarlet color.

Rough Rim - Weathered Cliff Ridge

The rim is partially hollowed out after being shaped on a potter's wheel, and the shrinkage caused during firing induces a natural collapse. These irregular ridges are reminiscent of rock walls carved by waves or cliffs eroded by wind and snow, and exude a dynamic tension amid the silence. The choice of where to place your lips creates a sense of enjoyment, adding a casual playfulness to the tea ceremony.

The deep contrast created by the scarlet-black interior walls

The inside is fired to a slightly darker crimson than the outside, and its semi-glossy shine brings out the vivid green of the matcha. The light brown foam casts delicate shadows on the rough surface, and when thick tea is poured into it, the crimson blends with the dark brown water, creating the mysterious atmosphere of a lava cave lit by a campfire at night.

A soft egg-shaped form and a light, thin cut

The body is a rounded egg shape, with a smooth silhouette that barely leaves any traces of the wheel. It is not too thick, but it is firmly fired at a high temperature of around 1280°C, making it sturdy and surprisingly light to hold. When you hold it in your palm, the rough outer skin provides just the right amount of stimulation to your fingertips, creating a striking contrast with the smoothness of the inner wall.

The surface of the Tanba soil seen from the hilltop

The sides of the foot are left unglazed, leaving the reddish-brown base exposed. Where traces of ash have adhered, they have turned bluish-gray, forming red to black to ash strata. They quietly speak of the presence of iron ore and feldspar hidden in the mountains and fields of Tanba, breathing the breath of the earth into the pottery.

Functionality as tea ceremony utensils

The gentle curve of the inside of the teapot does not hinder the movement of the chasen tea whisk, and keeps the foam even. The thin body transfers heat to the hand slowly, making it comfortable to handle even when drinking strong tea in winter. The base is cut low, making it stable on the table and adaptable to modern table settings.

The intersection of wabi and the brilliance of fire

The scarlet color symbolizes the brilliance of "yang," while the matte texture and the shadows of the iron spots bring about the tranquility of wabi. Based on the theme of "The heat of life hidden within wabi-sabi," Nishihata Tadashi has brought out complex expressions in a single red color, condensing the drama of earth and fire.

The luster and shadows that come with time

The rough surface absorbs the oils from your hands as it is used, and begins to take on a moist luster. As tea stains and moisture seep into the minute irregularities, and the scarlet color takes on a soft brownish color, the entire piece gains depth. Because there is no crazing, the change is extremely gradual, but you can still enjoy the gradation of red that quietly breathes over the course of several years.

This Tanba red tea bowl is as if the flickering of a glowing ember has been crystallized. The red color pulsates quietly in the palm of your hand, gently adding the memory of the flames and the weight of the earth to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the tea ceremony. Please treasure it for a long time and enjoy the melody of the years as the scarlet color grows deeper and deeper.

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