Yellow-gray glazed tea bowl by Okada Yu

Width: 11.7cm Height: 7.7cm

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

The color of autumn's ripening 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 shifts from straw yellow to a jade-green shadow, exuding a gentle warmth and the serenity of wabi. This bowl exudes a rustic atmosphere reminiscent of Momoyama-period Kizeto ware and Karatsu ash glaze, while also breathing the refined melody that is characteristic of Okada Masaru.

Highlights of the sculpture

This piece is adorned throughout with designs evocative of pampas grass swaying in the autumn fields, revealing a landscape that becomes even more captivating the more one holds it in their hands. The body is carved with a relief of a two-leaf "V-shaped leaf," and the glaze that collects in the carving's recesses accentuates the shadows. The modest, drum-shaped body, which bulges slightly and then quickly drops, feels moist and comfortable when placed in the palm of your hand, drawing the eye to the rim. Furthermore, the white clay peeks out faintly at the base, contrasting with the yellowish-gold glaze and adding a sense of warmth and lightness to the entire piece.

The tea ceremony's aesthetic is also not to be missed. When thin tea is brewed, the lush green of the matcha is transformed into a vibrant golden hue, and the shadows of the V-shaped leaves are reflected on the surface of the water. Lightly shaking the tea whisk and letting the bubbles entwine with the carved lines creates a scene of morning dew on autumn grasses, delighting the eyes of guests. Serving thick tea, on the other hand, the deep brown color subdues the yellow-gray glaze, quietly revealing the jade green hidden within. Slowly rotating the bowl and presenting it to the guest at an angle that most beautifully reflects the shading of the glaze, fully conveys the depth of the vessel and the feeling of the season.

In this way, the shape and the glaze of this piece are in perfect harmony, and you can enjoy different expressions when using it with either thin or thick tea, making it a truly exquisite piece that will look great at a tea ceremony.

A look at history

Yellow Seto and ash-glazed vessels were highly valued during 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 are considered an essential scene for autumn tea ceremonies. This work follows in that tradition, capturing the serene scenery of Uji's charcoal mines and bringing a breath of fresh air to modern tea ceremonies.

Conclusion

This yellow-gray glazed tea bowl features a rice-colored glaze with leaf lines carved into it in the autumn breeze. Holding it in your palm will bring a gentle warmth and a sense of harvest relief, adding a touch of gentle bounty to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of tea ceremony. The gloss of the glaze deepens over the years, and the carved lines develop a gentle shadow. We hope you'll enjoy its changing appearance over time.