Yellow-gray glazed tea bowl by Okada Yu

Width: 11.7cm Height: 7.7cm

Yellow-gray glazed tea bowl by Masaru Okada - "The golden color of the harvested rice fields is dyed in the soft setting sun."

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The color of autumn soil

The soft yellow-gray glaze is a soft gold reminiscent of the countryside in late autumn. Depending on the angle of the light, the color changes from straw yellow to jade green, coexisting with gentle warmth and the serenity of wabi. This bowl has a rustic feel reminiscent of Momoyama period Kizeto and Karatsu ash glazes, while still breathing the neat melody that is characteristic of Okada Masaru.

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Highlights of the sculpture

This piece is filled with designs reminiscent of pampas grass swaying in the autumn fields, and the more you pick it up, the more you will appreciate the scenery. A two-leaf "V-shaped leaf" relief is carved into the body, and the glaze accumulates in the carving's depressions, highlighting the shadows even more. The modest drum-shaped body, which juts out slightly and then drops immediately, feels moist and comfortable when placed in the palm of your hand, drawing your eye to the rim. Furthermore, a faint glimpse of white clay can be seen at the edge of the base, contrasting with the yellowish-golden glaze to add warmth and lightness to the entire piece.

The tea ceremony is also not to be missed. When thin tea is brewed, the lush green of the matcha stands out with a golden hue, and the shadow of the V-shaped leaves is reflected on the surface of the water. When the whisk is gently shaken and the bubbles are carved into the lines, the scene of morning dew on autumn grass appears, delighting the eyes of the guests. On the other hand, when thick tea is served, the deep brown color calms the yellow-gray glaze, and the jade color hidden inside quietly emerges. By slowly rotating the bowl and presenting it to the guest at an angle that most beautifully reflects the light and shade of the glaze, the depth of the vessel and the sense of the season are conveyed to the fullest.

In this way, the shape and glaze of this piece are in perfect harmony, and you can enjoy the different expressions when it is used as either a light tea or a strong tea, making it a truly outstanding piece for a tea ceremony.

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A look at history

Yellow Seto and ash-glazed ware were highly valued in the Momoyama period as a style of wabi-cha tea. The subdued yellow of the glaze suggests the "rice harvest" and the "blessings of the sun," and is considered an essential scene for autumn tea ceremonies. This work follows that tradition, capturing the serene scenery of Uji and Sumiyama, bringing a breath of fresh air to modern tea ceremonies.

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Conclusion

A yellow-gray glazed tea bowl with rice-colored glaze and carved leaf lines of autumn wind. When you hold it in your palm, it will spread a gentle warmth and a sense of relief of harvest, adding a gentle hint of fruitfulness to the once-in-a-lifetime encounter of the tea ceremony. The gloss of the glaze will deepen over the years, and the shadows of the carved lines will quietly grow. We hope you will enjoy the changes that occur over time.