Tea bowl with a design of pine, bamboo, plum and crane, copied from Ninsei by Miyagawa Kosai

Height: 10.0cm Width: 12.5cm

A conversation with Kosai Miyagawa

"Ninsei copy tea bowl with pine, bamboo, plum and crane design by Miyagawa Kosai" is a work of art that perfectly combines the design and techniques throughout the tea bowl, concentrating Japanese aesthetics and traditions. This piece is a masterpiece of "Ninsei copy" that reflects the unique creativity and traditional techniques of the Miyagawa Kosai family while imitating the style of Nonomura Ninsei.

Pine, bamboo, plum and crane design

First of all, the "pine, bamboo, plum" and "crane" painted on the tea bowl have been popular as auspicious symbols since ancient times. Pine, bamboo, plum are known as the "Three Friends of Winter" that originated in China, and because these plants remain green and bloom even in the cold, they symbolize vitality and prosperity. Specifically, they have the following meanings:

Pine : Pine is a symbol of longevity because it retains its green color even in harsh winters. It is often used in Japanese gardens and New Year decorations, and represents strength of life and an indomitable spirit.

Bamboo : Bamboo is a symbol of growth and flexibility because it is flexible and not easily broken. Bamboo grows quickly and taller, so it is also a symbol of progress and prosperity.

Plum blossoms : Because plum blossoms are the first to bloom after winter, they are considered symbols of nobility, purity, and longevity. The sight of plum blossoms blooming in early spring is particularly special to the Japanese, and plum blossoms depicted on tea bowls also symbolize the arrival of spring and hope.

Furthermore, this tea bowl is decorated with a crane . Cranes are a symbol of longevity, said to have a lifespan of a thousand years, and golden cranes in particular are also considered to be symbols of wealth and prosperity. As cranes are creatures that couples spend their entire lives together, they are also a symbol of marital harmony, and also represent a wish for family prosperity and happiness. In this way, this tea bowl decorated with pine, bamboo, plum and cranes together is not only beautiful, but is also dotted with auspicious symbols throughout.

Techniques of copying Ninsei

"Ninsei copies" are works that reproduce the techniques and style of Kyoto ware master Nonomura Ninsei , while adding his own unique ingenuity and aesthetics. Ninsei was a potter active in the early Edo period, and is considered a pioneer of overglaze pottery. His works are characterized by vivid colors and elegant designs, and his use of gold and indigo in particular is outstanding. This "Ninsei Copy Tea Bowl with Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Crane" also has many elements that strongly suggest Ninsei's influence. The tea bowl, decorated with blue pine and golden cranes, truly inherits Ninsei's beautiful colors and brilliance, and on top of that, Miyagawa Kosai's unique expression has been added.

"Ninsei copies" influenced by Ninsei are not mere imitations, but new creations that build on his techniques and develop them further. In other words, while based on Ninsei's traditional techniques, new interpretations and designs are added to the patterns, decorations and shapes of the tea bowls, making them works that bring Ninsei's spirit to life in the modern era.

The traditions of the Miyagawa Kosai family

The Miyagawa Kosai family is known as a prestigious Kyoto ware family, whose techniques and traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. One technique that is particularly distinctive to the Miyagawa Kosai family is the straw ash glaze . Straw ash glaze is a traditional technique in which straw is burned into ash and used as a glaze, giving tea bowls a soft, bluish, warm texture. This straw ash glaze is said to have been used by Ninsei as well, and is a technique that the Miyagawa Kosai family is particularly skilled at. This glaze is also used in Ninsei's copies, and its effect gives the tea bowls a unique color and texture.

The Miyagawa Kosai family is also known for their use of a technique called **Makuzu ware**. Makuzu ware is a type of pottery that began in Kyoto in the mid-Edo period, and is characterized by its delicate use of glazes and beautiful colors. The Makuzu ware technique that has been passed down through the generations of the Miyagawa family is highly regarded both in Japan and overseas, and is supported by many collectors and enthusiasts. In particular, its value is recognized internationally, with its pieces being housed in world-class art museums and cultural institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) and the Permanent Mission of Japan to UNESCO (Paris).

The History and Influence of the Miyagawa Kosai Family

The Miyagawa Kosai family is a renowned ceramics family with a history spanning approximately 330 years. Its history dates back to the early Edo period, during the Jokyo era (1684-1687). Its origins are said to date back to Miyagawa Kobee Masakazu, who moved from Miyagawa Village, Sakata County, Omi Province (present-day Nagahama City, Shiga Prefecture) to Kyoto and began a pottery business in front of Chion-in Temple. Later, Masakazu's sons took on the names "Jibei" and "Chobei" and developed the Miyagawa family's ceramics techniques.

Among them, the fifth generation Chozo was a particularly skilled craftsman, and when he opened a kiln in Higashiyama Makugahara, this marked the beginning of Makuzu ware. Chozo's fourth son, Toranosuke, moved to Yokohama and became the first Makuzu Kozan, while the Jihei family took over from Yukan as the sixth generation, and later took the name "Miyagawa Kosai," a tradition that continues to this day.

In modern times, the seventh generation Miyagawa Kosai has inherited the tradition and is working on the production of tea utensils and Kyoto ware. With a history of 330 years, the Miyagawa Kosai family's works combine classical aesthetics with modern creativity and continue to receive high praise both in Japan and overseas. "Miyagawa Kosai Ninsei's Tea Bowl with Pine, Bamboo, Plum and Crane" is a work of art that inherits the techniques and design of traditional Kyoto ware while also being in tune with modern tea ceremony culture. The symbolic meanings of auspicious items such as pine, bamboo, plum and cranes are imbued in the bowl, and the unique techniques and aesthetics of the Miyagawa Kosai family are reflected throughout the bowl. By using this tea bowl, you can not only enjoy tea, but also deeply experience the spirit of tea ceremony while feeling in your heart the many auspicious meanings such as longevity, prosperity and family ties.