Celadon twisted tea bowl, Suwa Sozan

Width: 13.6cm Height: 6.7cm

I. Work summary

This piece, "Celadon Twisted Tea Bowl," is a celadon matcha bowl formed using the "twisted" technique, which is considered extremely rare in porcelain. The soft spiral ridges engraved on the outside show a natural rhythm created by shaping the bowl while twisting the body with the fingertips, and the jade glaze unique to Sozan celadon gently accumulates there, bringing out the shades of blue. In addition, a blurred white "cloud pattern" appears on the inside, expressing a scene inside the bowl reminiscent of early summer clouds rising in a clear sky.

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II. Shape and form

Rim design

The rim is slightly curved outwards, maintaining a delicate thickness that does not interfere with the handling of the tea whisk or the touch to the lips. The inner glaze surface is gently sloping, and the tea is naturally drawn to the center during the tea ceremony.

Twisted trunk shape

The body has soft ridges and a gradually tapering proportion towards the bottom. Immediately after being shaped on the potter's wheel, while the vessel is still plastic, the outside is gently twisted to create a spiral shadow. The celadon glaze accumulates thickly on the steps, highlighting the depth of the layers depending on the light.

Height and stability

The base is designed to be slightly low, keeping the center of gravity of the entire bowl low. The inside is carved at a slightly sharp angle, achieving both a light appearance and a sense of actual stability.

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III. Glaze Tone: Soft Light and Cloud Patterns on Sozan Celadon

Deep jade color <br data-start="667" data-end="670">Based on the color tone of Sozan Celadon perfected by the first Suwa Sozan , the clear, transparent blue-green color is created by the balance of the trace amounts of iron contained in the clay and reduction firing. Thick glaze accumulates on the ridges of the twisted porcelain, and the depth of the color changes depending on the viewing angle.

Cloud pattern in the sky <br data-start="800" data-end="803">Opacified areas appear spontaneously in the tea puddles, creating a pattern that resembles floating thin clouds. This is the result of localized crystallization in the glaze during firing, and is a symbol of beauty that combines chance and necessity.

The feel of the glaze surface <br data-start="916" data-end="919">Celadon glaze melts evenly and has a smooth texture that feels like it sticks to your fingertips. When you hold it in your palm, you can feel a slight warmth and the vessel fits comfortably in your hand.

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Ⅳ． Functions and combinations at tea ceremonies

Perfect with matcha <br data-start="1297" data-end="1300">The vibrant green of the matcha blends with the opaque white of the cloud pattern, creating a visual effect that resembles sunlight floating in the sky.

Resonating with the Light <br data-start="1365" data-end="1368">The warm light of the lanterns and candles casts subtle shadows on the ridges, projecting a deep landscape within the layers of celadon glaze.

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V. Technical significance and originality of expression

The twisting technique for porcelain

Usually, twisting is a technique used with highly plastic clay, but porcelain clay dries and shrinks quickly and is prone to cracking, so advanced techniques are required. The fourth generation Suwa Sozan determined the softness and stickiness of porcelain clay immediately after molding, and established a technique to twist it without distortion by applying uniform finger pressure and rotation.

Glaze patterns that make the most of chance

The white cloud pattern that appears on the inside of the pottery is not an intentional painting, but is the result of the slight differences in the thickness of the glaze and the fire in the kiln. The firing design that deliberately brings out this "accidental beauty" enhances the poetic appeal of this piece.

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Ⅵ. Artist profile and creative approach

Suwa Sozan IV (born in Kyoto in 1970) was trained by Suwa Sozan III and lacquer artist Nakamura Sotetsu XII, and took on the name of the IV in 2002. Based on his research into celadon, he has explored a variety of techniques, including hotarude, tobiseiji, nerikomi celadon, and nishinuki, and creates works based on the idea that "a vessel is completed through a dialogue with the user." In this work, he weaves a universe that fits in the palm of your hand with the theme of "a cloud floating in celadon."

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VII. Conclusion

The "Celadon Twisted Tea Bowl" is a masterpiece that crystallizes the deep exploration of celadon since the first Suwa Sozan and the creative sensibilities of the four generations. The gently overlapping spiral ridges and the white clouds floating in the depths of the glaze reflect the changing of the seasons and the serenity of the soul in the palm of your hand. This piece, which imbues the hard material of porcelain with softness and poetry, will leave a quiet aftertaste in the hearts of those who see and use it, and bring a gentle breeze to the tea ceremony.