Raku tea bowl with a picture of flames by Kosai Miyagawa

Height: 9.0cm Width: 12.0cm

"Black Glazed Hand-formed Bonfire Tea Bowl by Miyagawa Kosai" is a masterpiece that combines the techniques of Makuzu ware and traditional Japanese beauty by Miyagawa Kosai. This tea bowl is characterized by the warmth of hand-formed ware and the deep color of the black glaze, and the painting of the "bonfire" and cherry blossoms on it gives a sense of mysterious beauty. This tea bowl, which seems to symbolize bonfire Noh and classical Japanese aesthetics, leaves a deep impression on the viewer and adds a gorgeous touch to the quiet space of the tea ceremony.

The beauty of hand-building techniques

Te-bineri is a technique that does not use a potter's wheel, but is shaped by hand, and its distinctive feature is that the maker's touch is directly reflected in the work. This "Black Glazed Te-bineri Bonfire Tea Bowl" is created with the irregular yet well-balanced hemispherical shape that is unique to hand-building, and has a gentle, enveloping warmth. This handmade tea bowl has a unique texture, weight, and shape when held in the hand, and it gives the impression of a dialogue with the user.

Tea bowls made by hand in this way are each unique and there are no two the same, making them truly one-of-a-kind. The smooth surface of the black glaze and the natural shape of the hand-made bowl combine to create a tea bowl that exudes the warmth of something handmade, and is in harmony with the spirit of the tea ceremony.

The deep color of black glaze and its techniques

"Black glaze" is a glaze that contains a lot of iron and is fired at high temperatures to produce a deep, beautiful black color. This black glaze is a technique with a long history in the world of tea ceremony, and it acts as an ideal background to highlight the vivid green color of matcha. Black glaze is also sensitive to temperature and environment, and requires fine adjustments during the firing process. Therefore, it requires high skill and experience to use this glaze effectively.

Miyagawa Kosai has brought out the beauty of the black glaze to the fullest, giving this tea bowl depth and serenity. Depending on how the light hits the surface of the black glaze, subtle nuances emerge, revealing a variety of expressions to the user. Combined with the warmth of the hand-formed piece, the depth of the black glaze enhances the tranquil atmosphere of the tea ceremony, while the shadows bring peace of mind to the viewer.

Bonfires and cherry blossoms: a symbol of mysterious beauty

This tea bowl features a bonfire and cherry blossoms. The bonfire symbolizes the torches used in ancient Japanese nighttime rituals and festivals, and has played an important role in takigi-noh (fire-lit Noh) performances. The flickering flames of the bonfire symbolize the mysterious worldview and express the spirit of Japanese culture, which pursues the ephemeral yet beautiful.

Cherry blossoms are a flower that symbolizes Japan, and the sight of cherry blossoms fluttering down has been written about in many songs and poems since ancient times as an entity that combines "transience" and "beauty." In the Kokin Wakashū, there are 18 poems about plum blossoms, but 70 poems about cherry blossoms, and cherry blossoms have been deeply rooted in the hearts of Japanese people since the Heian period. Cherry blossoms are not only beautiful when they bloom, but even when they fall, and their transience symbolizes the unique Japanese aesthetic sense. The cherry blossoms depicted on this tea bowl are depicted as if they are fluttering down in the midst of a bonfire, evoking a sense of harmony between nature and humans.

The falling of cherry blossoms indicates the cycle of new life, while the flames symbolize the transience of life. By fusing these two elements, this tea bowl combines the beauty of the moment with the symbolism of eternity, evoking a sense of the impermanence of nature and deep spirituality within the tea ceremony.

Miyagawa Kosai and the tradition of Makuzu ware

Miyagawa Kosai is a renowned Kyoto family that has produced Makkuzu ware for generations. The history of Makkuzu ware dates back to the Jokyo era (1684-1687) of the Edo period, when Miyagawa ancestor Yukan Miyagawa Kobee Masakazu opened a kiln in Kyoto and entered the world of pottery. Yukan's sons ran a kiln called "Rakuya" and honed their skills, eventually making Makkuzu ware an important part of the Kyoto pottery world.

In particular, the technique of using "straw ash glaze" is a typical feature of Makkuzu ware, and is a glaze that has been handed down through the generations. This glaze uses straw ash remaining after burning firewood as part of the glaze, and produces a beautiful, transparent finish. The Miyagawa family boasts outstanding skills in the production of tea ceremony and sencha tea ceremony utensils, and Makkuzu ware is highly regarded not only in Japan, but also in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, China, and other countries.

Contemporary Recognition of Miyagawa Kosai and His Works

The Miyagawa Kosai family's works are held in many museums and private collections both in Japan and abroad, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Permanent Mission of Japan to UNESCO in Paris. Even today, the Miyagawa family's works continue to be highly regarded and are an indispensable part of the world of traditional Japanese ceramics.

In particular, the "Black Glazed Hand-made Bonfire Tea Bowl" has been highly praised for its beauty, technique, and deep spirituality, and has attracted attention both in Japan and abroad. This tea bowl is not only a practical tea utensil, but also highly valued as a work of art, and is loved by many tea masters and art lovers. The tea ceremony is not just about making tea, but also about pursuing cultural depth and beauty, and Miyagawa Kosai's tea bowls are symbolic of this. This piece is a true work of art in tea ceremony, combining the warmth of hand-making, the depth of black glaze, and the beautiful painting of bonfires and cherry blossoms. This tea bowl, which combines the warmth of the handmade with the beauty of mystery, has impressed many people as a tool used in the world of tea ceremony and as a work of art that evokes traditional Japanese beauty.