Tea bowl black glaze gold white crane Dohachi Takahashi

Width: 12.1cm Height: 7.98cm

Black glaze tea bowl with gold and white crane - Takahashi Dohachi IX

This work, made by the ninth generation Takahashi Michihachi (born in 1973, the second daughter of the eighth generation), is a gorgeous tea bowl with a gold and white dancing crane motif that stands out against the jet-black glaze. Below, we will introduce its charm from five perspectives and a brief biography of the artist.

1. Beauty of form - Elegance and the gentleness that only a female artist can provide

This piece has an exquisite volume that makes it easy to brew rich matcha tea. The body, turned on a potter's wheel, is based on a dignified cylindrical shape, while the slight curve towards the rim creates a soft impression. The base is neatly cut slightly higher, and the contrast with the white base tightens the overall look.

2. Glaze Tone - Oil Droplets on Jet Black

The black glaze is not just jet black, but has a subtle oil droplet pattern that appears all over the surface due to the skillful firing process that alternates between oxidation and reduction. The subtle glow when it receives indoor light is particularly beautiful in the dim light of the tea room, dramatically bringing out the green of the matcha.

3. Design - Golden and White Cranes Dance

The crane around the body is a classic motif that symbolizes good fortune and longevity. The golden crane painted with overglaze gold leaf is at the center, surrounded by white cranes painted with overglaze gold leaf, creating a composition that evokes the elegance of a celebratory occasion. The ninth generation's solid drawing skills fully express the elegance of the crane with minimalist line drawings.

4. Technique: A duet of gold and white overglaze

Gold paint is applied to the white overglaze and then fired again at a low temperature to set it in place. The white overglaze applied on top of the black glaze is prone to uneven coloring and there is a risk of it peeling off. In particular, skilled brushwork is essential to express the delicate lines of the crane in a uniform white color. Furthermore, precise control of brush pressure and firing temperature is required to apply gold paint over the set white pattern, and care must be taken to avoid distortion caused by the second firing. It is thanks to the many years of experience and advanced techniques of the ninth generation Takahashi Michihachi that his training and experience shine through.

5. Historical background and author profile

The Takahashi Dohachi family has been known as a prestigious Kyoto ware color painting family since the late Edo period. The ninth generation master graduated from the Department of Clothing Design at Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, majored in design, and then went on to the Department of Molding and Research at Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Technical College, and further solidified his technical foundation at the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute.

In 1996, he began to study pottery under his father, Dohachi Yashiro, and began making pottery in earnest.

In 2012, he took on the name of the ninth Takahashi Dohachi.

His style, which combines the sense of form cultivated in clothing design with the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware, has breathed new life into the Dohachi family of pottery and displays a sophistication that stands out in modern tea ceremonies and gallery spaces.

This piece features gold and white cranes dancing on a jet-black glaze, making it a masterpiece that combines visual solemnity with practical beauty. It is light to hold, and the moist texture of the black glaze and the fine indentations of the gold lines are a delight to the fingertips, further enriching the movements of the tea ceremony. It has the hidden power to instantly transform the tea room into a festive atmosphere, whether used for special occasions or for everyday practice. Please cherish it for many years to come, and enjoy the elegance woven by the creativity and tradition of the ninth generation Takahashi Dohachi.