Blue Tea Bowl by Takeshi Shimizu

Height: 11.0cm Width: 9.0cm

Shiogama tea bowl by Tsuyoshi Shimizu - An exquisite masterpiece made with the blue of gosu and salt kiln techniques

A tea bowl that captivates with its beautiful blue glow

The "Shiogama Tea Bowl by Tsuyoshi Shimizu" is a tea bowl characterized by its vivid and deep blue color. This beautiful blue color is produced using gosu, a traditional blue pigment, and gives a sense of transparency and depth that is different from glaze. Tsuyoshi Shimizu's skillful technique allows the gosu to color the entire bowl evenly and vividly, capturing the hearts of those who see it. The brilliance of the blue adds a new color to the tea ceremony.

The unique texture created by the salt kiln technique

This tea bowl is a masterpiece that combines nature and craftsmanship, created using the salt kiln technique. The salt kiln technique, which originated in Germany in the 13th century, gives the surface of the vessel a unique texture by adding salt during firing. Shimizu Tsuyoshi practices this technique in a traditional climbing kiln, firing the vessel slowly for two and a half days at high temperatures of over 1230°C. The minute irregularities and natural texture created during this process make the salt kiln tea bowl special in terms of feel as well.

Fusion of the tradition and modernity of gosu

Gosu is a historic pigment passed down from ancient Chinese pottery and is deeply rooted in Japanese pottery culture. Shimizu Tsuyoshi breathes new life into Shiogama tea bowls by combining this traditional material with contemporary design and salt kiln techniques. The vibrant blue of the gosu and the unique texture of the salt kiln techniques combine to create a work of art where history and innovation coexist beautifully.

Intricate craftsmanship that highlights the artisan's skills

This tea bowl is imbued with Tsuyoshi Shimizu's outstanding technique and aesthetic sensibility. The way the gosu is applied and the firing process in the salt kiln are painstakingly crafted down to the last detail, and every time you pick up the tea bowl, you will be impressed by the meticulous craftsmanship. This tea bowl, which combines practicality and beauty, will create special moments in your daily life.

Make your tea ceremony experience special

This Shiogama tea bowl will make your tea ceremony experience even more special and enriching. Its beautiful blue color and the texture unique to salt kilns will transform your tea ceremony into a sophisticated space. Its easy-to-use shape and comfortable weight enhance its practicality while maintaining an exquisite balance with its beautiful appearance.

Timeless beauty and value

Shimizu Tsuyoshi's Shiogama tea bowls are pieces of eternal value that will continue to retain their beauty over time. The more you use them, the more their texture improves, and you will develop a special relationship with them. Not only will they be cherished for a lifetime, but they will also retain their value as masterpieces worthy of being passed down to the next generation.

Biography
Born in Tachikui, Hyogo Prefecture in 1975
1999 Graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts, Department of Crafts, majoring in ceramics. Studied under ceramic artists Masayuki Imai and Masamasa
2005 Worked at the Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo (until 2012)
2010 - 2011 Part-time lecturer at Hyogo University of Teacher Education
2015: Travelled to Canada (Owata, Vancouver) through a Ministry of Foreign Affairs program
2019 Lecture at the Japan-Korea Academic Symposium (Gimhae Buncheong Ceramics Museum/Korea, '16)

Main Exhibitions/Open Exhibitions
2010 Biennale KUMAMOTO FINAL (Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art)
2012 Kyoto Prefecture Fine Arts and Crafts New Artists Exhibition, Kyoto Arts and Crafts Biennale (Kyoto Museum of Art)
2013: Selected for the 22nd Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition ('11)
2014 Gwangju Biennale (Gwangju Folk Museum/Korea)
2016 Exhibition of crafts from UCCN in the field of Crafts & Folk Art
(Icheon World Ceramic Center/Korea)
2017 Ischawan, One World: International Artists Chawan Ren Exhibition (Ryudo Makoto/Taiwan)
2018 2018 TEA BOWL Exhibition of Gyeongsanam-Do (Gyeongsanam Cultural Center/Korea)
150 Years of Hyogo Ceramics - From Technique and Craftsmanship to Art and Individuality (The Museum of Ceramic Art, Hyogo)
2019 KOGEI Art Fair KANAZAWA 2019 (THE SHARE HOTELS KUMU Kanazawa)
2022: Selected for the 39th Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition (Tabe Museum of Art/Shimane) (6 times in total)
Selected for the 10th Kikuchi Biennale in 2023 (Kikuchi Kanji Memorial Museum Tomo/Tokyo)

Awards
2010 Contemporary Ceramic Art Hagi Grand Prize Exhibition 2010 (Hagi Museum of Art, Yamaguchi Prefecture, Uragami Memorial Museum) Honorable Mention
2011 57th All Kansai Art Exhibition (Osaka Municipal Museum of Fine Arts) Honorable Mention (2009 same award)
Kobe Biennale 2011 Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition Encouragement Award (2009 same award)
2017 Hyogo Prefectural Art Encouragement Award
2018: 11th Contemporary Tea Ceremony Exhibition, Excellence Award 23rd Mino Tea Bowl Exhibition, Gold Award
2019 12th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition Excellence Award 5th Geibunkyo Exhibition Kyoto City Mayor Award
2023 15th Contemporary Tea Ceramics Exhibition Excellence Award