Umami Tea Bowl by Toshinari Ichino

Height: 13.8cm Width: 7.4cm

The lingering taste of simple white - White Tanba tea bowl

Created by Toshinari Ichino

This "White Tamba Tea Bowl" is a masterpiece filled with tranquility and dignity, created by Toshinari Ichino, a contemporary ceramicist who represents Tamba Tachikui ware. At first glance, the white glaze gives an impression of modesty. However, the world that unfolds behind it quietly contains the history of Tamba ware spanning more than 800 years and the aesthetic sense of Japanese people living in harmony with nature.

The white glaze that covers the entire bowl has a soft milky white color with subtle hints of red and gray, and the unevenness and color of the ceramic surface change like light shining through clouds. This expression could be called the "poetry of kiln change," a mixture of natural chance and the artist's intention, such as the flow of the glaze, the composition of the clay, and even the way the fire hits the pot during wood-fired firing.

The taut form from the body to the base exudes a sense of the essence of Tamba ware, which values ​​practicality, while exuding a sense of modern sophistication. Ichino's Shiro-Tamba ware is highly regarded by many tea masters and pottery lovers as a work that is rooted in tradition but also pursues a quiet beauty that blends in with everyday life.

What is Shiratanba? Between simplicity and sophistication

"White Tamba" is one of the glaze tones that has developed in Tachikui since the Edo period, alongside black Tamba and red Tamba. This firing method, in which ash is naturally applied in a wood-fired kiln, brings randomness to the glaze's appearance, and the wonder of "ash covering" is considered one of the greatest charms of Tamba ware.

Even on this tea bowl, the white glaze is applied rather thickly and pools naturally under the influence of gravity, creating a soft shadow effect with some areas appearing slightly milky or wrinkled. The subtle hints of the red clay base quietly speak to the strength of the earthy flavor that is unique to Tamba ware.

Toshinari Ichino and the spirit of Tamba

Ichino Toshinari has a studio in Imada-cho, the center of Tamba Tachikui ware, and while he treasures the traditional firing method in a wood-fired kiln, he continues to explore forms and glaze tones that resonate with modern sensibilities. His approach to pottery, in which he communicates with the material and surrenders himself to the flames, is the very spirit of Japanese pottery, which has always valued "coexistence with nature."

This white Tanba tea bowl also embodies that spirit, as a vessel that brings tranquility and moisture to your daily teatime without relying on excessive decoration. Its timeless yet deeply memorable design is worthy of the phrase "beauty of utility." The contrast with the green that stands out when you pour matcha into it will further enhance the charm of this tea bowl.

The History and Future of Tamba-yaki

Tamba ware, one of the Six Ancient Kilns, has a history of over 800 years since the end of the Heian period and has supported Japan's folk pottery culture. Tamba Tachikui ware in particular is an important presence that conveys the idea of ​​finding beauty in simple, practical everyday tableware, and was designated a national traditional craft in 1978.

While carrying such a profound tradition, Ichino Toshinari's Shiratanba ware holds new possibilities for opening up the "now." The quiet white color gently contains the powerful memory of the earth and a gaze that looks to the future.