Six gourd tea bowl Rakusai Ozai

Width: 12.1cm Height: 7.1cm

This bowl features an auspicious design of six gourds lined up in a row, wishing good health and prosperity, and is elegantly expressed on a tranquil glaze that is close to white porcelain. The pale bluish ground is harmoniously combined with colored paints such as gold paint, verdigris, and ultramarine, evoking both blessings and purity at the same time - this is the pinnacle of "kirei sabi." Below, we will introduce the charm of this piece in detail from five perspectives.

1. Shape and glaze

Neat, bulging body shape <br data-start="229" data-end="232">The bulging body shape, which rises gently from the inside to the rim, has an ideal ratio that allows the whisk to hit the cup evenly and produces fine bubbles.

The tranquility of white glaze and crazing <br data-start="306" data-end="309">The white glaze that covers the base is extremely thin, and after firing it develops small crazing and emits a slightly grayish milky light. It softly reflects the green of the matcha, creating a stage setting that quietly brings out the gold leaf of the Rokugyo.

2. Design - Six gourds, auspicious for good health

Composition of the gourds <br data-start="436" data-end="439">Six gourds, large and small, are tied together with braided cord, creating a sense of continuous movement. The rounded curves give an impression of gentleness, while the cords are decorated with gold brocade in a diamond pattern, tightening up the composition.

Contrast of Pine and Verdigris <br data-start="537" data-end="540">By placing a pine tree inside the gourd, the meaning of "everlasting" is added, and the double coloring of verdigris applied over a gold background adds depth.

Droplets of water and birds <br data-start="610" data-end="613">Droplets of water spilling from some of the gourds are painted in pale blue, suggesting the "holy water" that prolongs life. A small scene of a resident bird perched on the gourd string is added, enhancing the narrative quality.

3. Techniques: The sophistication of morie and gilding

Kinrande
The overglaze paint contains gold and is fixed at around 800℃, giving the porcelain a glossy finish that is not easily peeled off even with long-term use.

Verdigris -colored paint is applied in a somewhat thick layer on the pine needle parts, and then fired twice to give it a glossy finish, creating a three-dimensional, fresh look.

Underglaze Pointillism <br data-start="871" data-end="874">The gold spots on the porcelain are created by spraying white mud under the glaze and then printing gold on top of it, creating a sophisticated "foil-like" technique that creates a deep sparkle.

4. Functional beauty at the tea ceremony

Looks great with matcha <br data-start="970" data-end="973">The inside is unified with a plain white glaze, making the green of the matcha shine like a mirror. The gold leaf is faintly reflected on the tea surface, adding a touch of glamour to celebratory occasions.

Space for storytelling <br data-start="1047" data-end="1050">The six gourds are a pun on the idea that if you have all six, you will be free from illness. As the host passes the gourd around, he asks the guests to find "where the sixth gourd is hiding," deepening the conversation.

Versatility for all seasons and occasions <br data-start="1140" data-end="1143">The appeal of this tea ceremony is its versatility, which makes it suitable for any tea ceremony that requires auspicious occasions, such as New Year's, festivals, the first tea ceremony of the year, celebrations for recovery, births, and promotions.

5. Cultural background and modernity

The gourd is a symbol of long-lasting military fortune, as represented by Toyotomi Hideyoshi's Umajirushi (horse crest of the Sennari gourd), and at the same time, it has been revered in the tea ceremony as a vessel that brings good fortune and brings many guests. Onishi Rakusai reinterprets this classic motif with a modern, minimalist color scheme of white glaze and gold paint, elevating it into a light and sophisticated bowl.

Six gourds are tied together in gold and green, radiant in the silence of the white glaze - this piece is designed to hold auspiciousness in the palm of your hand. If placed at a tea ceremony, guests will savor the aroma of matcha and pray for good health, finishing their tea with a clear mind. Onishi Rakusai's six gourd tea bowl is a blessing that combines function and conversation, tradition and modernity.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi