Tanba Red Tea Bowl by Nishihata Tadashi

Width: 14.0cm Depth: 12.6cm Height: 10.2cm

Introduction

"Tamba Red Tea Bowl Nishitansho" is a work in which red and black are mixed in an exquisite balance, coexisting with strength and beauty. This tea bowl goes beyond its role as a tea ceremony vessel; it is an item of artistic value, and its presence brightens up any tea ceremony. The strength of the red and the depth of the black are boldly expressed, and the contrast of colors that spread across the surface of the tea bowl strongly attracts the hearts of those who see it. Furthermore, the shape of this tea bowl is by no means mechanical; while it has natural distortions, it is very harmonious as a whole. The irregular form gives the entire vessel a lively movement, and you can experience the feeling of making a new discovery every time you pick it up.

The powerful resonance of red and black

The greatest appeal of the "Tamba Red Tea Bowl" is the dramatic contrast between the red and black colors. Red symbolizes passion and vitality, while black expresses profundity and serenity. These two colors blend together in a flowing manner throughout the bowl, enhancing each other's strengths and giving the piece a strong sense of vitality. The balance between the red and black is by no means a simple contrast; the colors blend delicately together, giving the viewer a sense of complex, multi-layered beauty. As a result, the entire bowl is given a sense of power and tension, further enhancing its visual impact.

Split base and spectacular beauty

One of the distinctive features of this tea bowl is the use of a special technique called "wari takadai." The shape of this takadai is different from that of ordinary tea bowls, and has a bold and powerful expression. The wari takadai supports the bottom of the bowl, giving it a firm sense of stability while maintaining a visual lightness. The shape of the entire bowl is a perfect blend of boldness and delicacy. The distorted shape gives the bowl a sense of the warmth of something handcrafted by humans, but the distortion is not unnatural, and instead exudes a natural beauty. This bold shape can be said to be a truly one-of-a-kind piece, created by Nishibata Tadashi using his many years of skill and sensibility.

Good return and joy of ownership

Contrary to its impressive appearance, this tea bowl is particularly comfortable to hold. The smooth feel of the surface and the shape that fits snugly in the hand give the owner the joy of using it. This tea bowl fits in the hand, and even in its bold design, you can feel the careful calculations that went into its design, and the more you use it, the more you will love it. The act of holding the tea bowl itself goes beyond the simple act of "using" it, and becomes a time to face the work, bringing a special emotion to the tea ceremony. Such tea bowls deepen the dialogue with the user and become an element that enriches the tea ceremony. This piece is a wonderful fusion of the powerful contrast of red and black colors and the refined beauty. The bold and bold shape and the presence of the split foot give the entire tea bowl strength and elegance, making an overwhelming impact on the viewer and user. This tea bowl has a depth that allows you to discover new charms every time you pick it up, and it provides a special experience even in the everyday tea ceremony. The Tamba Red Tea Bowl, which exquisitely blends artistry and practicality, is more than just a tea ceremony utensil; it is a masterpiece that will be loved forever as a work of art.

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, New York, USA.
Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in 2018