Hon'ami Koetsu matcha green tea bowl by Yanashita Hideki

Width 11.7 cm x 11.1 cm Height 9.1 cm

This work was born from a deep respect for the "Fujiyama" Raku tea bowl, a national treasure left behind by Hon'ami Koetsu, a giant of the early Edo period, and a contemporary reinterpretation of it. Koetsu's "Fujiyama" is unique in its form and scenery, and occupies a unique place in the history of Japanese ceramics. Drawing on its spiritual essence, Mr. Yanagishita has fired a new "Fujiyama" through the quiet yet powerful expression of "white."

The uniqueness lies in the white scenery

The shape is a soft, semi-cylindrical shape, kneaded by hand. The shape fits in the palm of your hand, and while it has a somewhat organic quality, it maintains an exquisite balance between chance and intention. From the base of the vessel to the rim, the milky white glaze gently rises in a gradation, evoking a landscape reminiscent of the snow-capped ridge of Mount Fuji.

This white is not simply a bright "white," but a "color of tranquility" that is layered and filled with a translucent depth and dimension. It has a soft texture like Japanese paper, gently absorbing the light and penetrating a sense of tranquility deep within the gaze. It naturally calms the viewer's mind and has a mysterious power that makes them feel as if time is passing slowly.

Firing and chance—the memory of time sealed away

The bottom of this piece is subtly adorned with shades reminiscent of the carbonization that occurs during firing. The color, which is neither black nor gray, goes beyond mere contrast and gives the piece depth and a sense of narrative. It is as if memories of the past, or the accumulation of time submerged in silence, have risen to the surface. Mr. Yanagishita's experience with the firing techniques and climbing kilns and anagama kilns, which he has cultivated over many years, is quietly reflected here.

Whiteness as a margin: Beauty told through silence

The greatest appeal of "White Fujiyama Tea Bowl" is that the "white" goes beyond its assertiveness as a color and functions as a "space for speech." This resonates with the essential values ​​of Japanese art, that what is not depicted speaks, and that something resonates in silence.

The flow of the wind on Tawaraya Sotatsu's gold background, the stillness floating in Ogata Korin's silver paint, the lingering emotion of "the unpainted" in ink painting, and the relationship between ink and white space in calligraphy... Just like these, the white of this tea bowl gently offers us a sensibility of beauty that lies between presence and absence, sound and silence, form and space.

White reflects the seasons and nature

The white begins with winter snow, then changes to spring plum blossom petals, morning dew sparkling in the summer light, and a veil of autumn mist. These memories of nature are quietly encapsulated in this tea bowl. The moment hot water is poured into the bowl and the steam rises, a fantastical moment is created, as if touching the surface of a mountain on a moonlit night.

When the glaze is wet with steam, delicate crazing appears on the surface, and tiny cracks change appearance over time. It is as if the vessel itself is breathing, reminding us of the cycle of life in nature.

Hideki Yanashita Profile
Ceramic artist 1967 –
Born in Tokyo, Yanagishita currently lives and works in Iga City, Mie Prefecture. Fascinated by pottery from the Momoyama period, he embarked on a career in ceramics. After training in Shigaraki , he built his own anagama kiln in Iga, Mie Prefecture, and opened the "Kanda Kiln." Under the tutelage of Sadamitsu Sugimoto, he delves deeply into the world of wabi-sabi from his own unique perspective, producing a diverse range of works, including Raku ware, Yakishime, Ido, and Oribe ware. An important theme in Yanagishita's creative endeavors is the pursuit of new heights , born from the incorporation of modern materials and unique approaches, while deeply studying the techniques and spirit of his predecessors. His works question essential beauty that transcends time and invite viewers into a deeper world of art.

Base of operations : Iga, Mie Prefecture