Katakuchi Brush Stroke (Small, Set of Five) by Dohachi Takahashi

Width: Approx. 7.5cm Height: Approx. 3.5cm

This set of small bowls, with light traces of white clay brush strokes on a pale grayish-grey glaze, and a lovely katakuchi shape that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand, was created by Takahashi Michihachi to propose "beauty of utility" to the modern dining table. Below, we will introduce their appeal in detail from five perspectives.

Small size gives it a cute and stable feel

Each bowl has a diameter of approximately 7cm and a shallow depth, while the base has a neat, elevated base, giving it both lightness and stability. When lined up on a tray or dining table, the beaks of each bowl face in different directions, creating a rhythm reminiscent of a five-petaled flower, adding a touch of elegance to the table.

A light contrast created by the ash glaze and white clay

The grayish-gray glaze that envelops the clay body is a moist, semi-glossy glaze with a delicate tone that takes on a slight bluish tinge depending on the angle from which it is viewed. In contrast, the white clay, which was applied in one go with a thick brush to the inside and outside, retains the brushstrokes with a sense of speed, creating a simple yet dynamic scene. The natural stripes created by the flow of the glaze and the traces of the brush strokes overlap, allowing you to enjoy a different look for each piece.

Coexistence of function and design

The small protruding beak has been given a slight indentation to allow liquid to drain easily. This makes it easy to pour dashi soy sauce, vinegared marinade, olive oil, etc., making it highly practical. Furthermore, by placing your fingers in the beak, you can firmly support the vessel, making it easy to handle.

The art of wheel-throwing and improvisational brushwork

After using delicate wheel-throwing techniques to grind the clay body thinly and evenly, white clay is brushed onto the piece while it is still semi-dry before bisque firing. After drying and bisque firing, the piece is dipped in ash glaze, and finally fired to create a transparent glaze surface. The glaze is applied thinly in the brushed areas, creating a pleasant texture where the unevenness of the white clay can be felt with your fingertips.

History - Brushwork and the Spirit of Folk Kilns

Brushstrokes have their origins in the Buncheong porcelain of the late Joseon Dynasty in Korea, and are a technique that was also favored in folk kilns throughout Japan. The "improvised beauty" of bold brushstrokes is in line with the theories of the Mingei movement led by Yanagi Muneyoshi, and pointed to the beauty that resides in everyday tableware. Takahashi Michihachi, a renowned Kyoto ware color painting master, has inherited this spirit while reinterpreting it with simple forms and nuanced colors that look great on modern dining tables.

The Takahashi Dohachi family has been known as a prestigious Kyoto ware colored enamel family since the late Edo period. The ninth generation master graduated from Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, majoring in fashion design, and then went on to study molding and research at the 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 9th Takahashi Dohachi

His style, which combines the sense of form cultivated through clothing design with the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware, breathes new life into the Dohachika style and displays a refinement that stands out in modern tea ceremony and gallery spaces.

These five palm-sized katakuchi bowls are suitable for a wide range of dishes, from small appetizer bowls to fruit sauces for dessert, and lightly accentuate the table like a five-colored arrangement. The serenity of the ash glaze and the space created by the vibrant brush strokes will highlight the colors of the food and add a little joy to the act of pouring and scooping. We hope you will enjoy using these bowls for many years to come, and savor the unique brush strokes carved into each bowl and the reliable potter's wheel technique by Takahashi Michihachi.