Best matcha bowl by Shin Fujihira

Width 14cm x 14cm Height 10cm

A conversation with Mr. Yasushi Fujihira

A rounded, inclusive form

Shin Fujihira's "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is characterized by its rounded , inviting shape that draws the viewer in. Its large, solid form gives a sense of security when held in the hand, making one want to wrap both hands around it. Its shape seems to gently embrace the user's heart, and the entire vessel exudes a sense of calm and warmth. Combining the functional beauty of a tea bowl with the aesthetic beauty of a work of art, this piece brings tranquility and healing to the tea ceremony and suggests new possibilities for tea utensils.

The rich color variations created by cinnabar glaze

The greatest attraction of the "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is, without a doubt, its beautiful color gradation . The vivid red unique to cinnabar glaze colors the top of the bowl, gradually changing to a pale blue color as it moves downwards. This color change is the product of chance, created by the interplay of flame and glaze, but is beautifully controlled by Shin Fujihira's outstanding technique and sensibility.

The viscosity of this glaze creates a subtle movement on the surface, and the piece shows various expressions as the light catches it. The deep red color gives a sense of strength and warmth, while the pale blue color gives a sense of serenity and coolness. The exquisite harmony of these colors never fails to captivate the viewer.

Elegant and elegant high ground

The beauty of the "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is not only evident in the body, but also in the refined finish of the foot . The foot is an important part that supports the entire bowl, yet it never stands out too much and blends into the overall design.

The refined finish acts as a stage to highlight the work. This attention to detail enhances the overall perfection of the tea bowl and gives a sense of satisfaction to the viewer.

The Technique and Poetry of Shin Fujihira

Shin Fujihira is known as a ceramic artist who inherits traditional Kyoto ware techniques while also reflecting his own poetic sensibility in his work. Nicknamed the "Poet of Ceramic," his work is imbued with a playful and experimental spirit, and these characteristics are fully apparent in his "Cinnabar Tea Bowl."

Shin Fujihira is skilled at combining the potter's wheel and hand-forming techniques to create an exquisite harmony between the hardness and softness of a shape. This "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is a work that can be said to be the culmination of his skills, and the harmony between the body shaped on the potter's wheel and the foot finished by hand is striking.

Challenging Tea Ceremony and Free Ideas

Shin Fujihira's solo exhibition "Shin Fujihira - Playing with Tea Ceremony" held in 1993 was the catalyst for him to begin creating tea ceremony ceramics in earnest. This exhibition showcased his free-thinking and experimental approach to creating tea ceremony utensils, and had a major influence on his subsequent works. The "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is a work that is an extension of this sense of challenge and playfulness. What he valued in creating tea ceremony ceramics was the attitude of "creating freely without being bound by form." This spirit is clearly evident in the design of the "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" and the use of glazes.

The appeal of the "Cinnabar Tea Bowl": a fusion of art and practicality

Shin Fujihira's "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is a masterpiece that, while being practical as a tea ceremony utensil, retains its uniqueness as a work of art. Its generous form, the vivid yet delicate colors of the cinnabar glaze, and the meticulous finish down to the smallest detail make this piece exceptional. When you pick up this tea bowl, you will naturally be captivated by its beauty, and using it will make you feel its charm even more. The "Cinnabar Tea Bowl" is a masterpiece that will remain in the history of pottery, combining Shin Fujihira's poetic sensibility with his high level of skill. We hope you will enjoy this piece, which not only enriches your tea ceremony experience but also inspires a quiet emotion in its user.

Shin Fujihira's biography
1944 Entered Kyoto Higher Technical School but dropped out due to illness
1945 Started pottery making at Fujihira Ceramic Arts
1957 Received the Hokuto Prize at the 13th Nitten Exhibition
1960 Florence International Ceramic Exhibition, Italy
1963 Received the Chrysanthemum Award at the 6th Shin-Nichi Exhibition and the Kyoto Prefecture Cultural Merit Award
1968 New Generation Contemporary Ceramic Art Exhibition: The Present of Ceramic Art - From Kyoto
1970 Contemporary Ceramics Europe and Japan Exhibition
1973 Received the Japan Ceramic Society Award
1974 Latin America traveling exhibition
1976 East German Touring Exhibition of Japanese Ceramics
1978 Traveling Exhibition of Japanese Ceramics in West Germany
1982 US/Canada traveling exhibition
1983 Contemporary Japanese Crafts Exhibition
1985: Perspectives on Contemporary Japanese Art
1990 Kyoto Art and Culture Award
1991 Kyoto City Cultural Merit Award

"This is a new, unused piece. It is currently stored at the Shin Fujihira Memorial Museum. When you purchase it, his son, Yasushi Fujihira, will create a box to certify that it is an authentic piece."