Teabowls by Yasushi Fujihira

Width 12.5cm x Height 8.5cm

A conversation with Yasushi Fujihira

The "tea bowl" by Yasushi Fujihira is a work that combines poetic beauty and functional beauty, bringing a quiet emotion to everyday life. A blue pattern emerges faintly from the soft expression created by the white glaze applied generously to the white clay, creating a poetic design reminiscent of rain and wisteria flowers. This tea bowl was shaped by hand without using a potter's wheel, and is a masterpiece that allows you to feel the natural form and the warmth of meticulous handiwork.

Poetic patterns and soft colors

On the surface of the tea bowl, a blue pattern appears as if ink had been dropped onto the surface of water, and its delicate fluctuations give the viewer a serene impression. The irregular spread of the pattern gives a sense of randomness, yet the overall piece is harmonious. The blue pattern can be interpreted in a variety of ways depending on the viewing angle and the way the light hits it, evoking natural scenes such as raindrops or wisteria flowers.

The white of the glaze is pure, yet the contrast with the blue gives it depth, and the beauty of the color, which combines tranquility and gentleness, envelops the entire work. This color expression is the result of Nei Fujihira's outstanding technique and sensibility, and it highlights a uniqueness not seen in other works.

The beauty of hand-formed sculpture without the use of a potter's wheel

Yasushi Fujihira's tea bowls are carefully hand-formed one by one without using a potter's wheel. This technique creates subtle distortions and soft curves in the bowls, giving them a natural warmth. Therefore, they are different from the uniformity of industrial products, and have an organic shape that seems to have been born directly from nature.

In addition, the hand-twisted shape of the product has a great feel when held and a well-balanced center of gravity, making it both practical and beautiful. Every time you pick it up, you can feel the calculated comfort and the feeling that the maker's heart is being conveyed.

A tranquil and elegant appearance

This tea bowl is not only practical as a tea ceremony utensil, but also has a presence that brings dignity to any space when displayed as interior decor. Its tranquil beauty gives the user peace of mind and transforms the atmosphere of the place into one of elegance.

This tea bowl is also a work that stirs the imagination of the viewer. The expression of the white glaze with the blue pattern floating on it brings to mind a quiet rainy day or a wisteria trellis in spring, evoking a poetic scene. This is more than just a piece of pottery; it has value as "art in everyday life," bringing new discoveries every time one looks at it.

The world of Nei Fujihira, weaving together tradition and innovation

The pottery of Yasushi Fujihira is strongly influenced by his father, Shin Fujihira, but he also pursues his own new expressions. While inheriting the tradition of his father as the "poet of pottery," Yasushi has built his own unique worldview by incorporating modern sensibilities.

This philosophy is also reflected in this "tea bowl," which rejects the traditional use of the potter's wheel and emphasizes the warmth of handwork, while incorporating new attempts in the use of glazes and expression of patterns. As a result, the work is endowed with a depth that gives it the impression of the past and future coexisting.

A beautiful combination of nature and poetry

The "Tea Bowl by Tohei Nei" is a piece that combines the beauty of nature with a poetic sensibility. Its natural form, created without the use of a potter's wheel, the soft colors of the white and blue glaze, and the pleasant texture that soothes the soul every time you use it all provide a special experience to those who see and use it.

The works of Nei Fujihira, who seeks new beauty within tradition, continue to fascinate many people not just as tea ceremony utensils, but as works of art that bring a poetic feeling to everyday life. Experience the world of ceramics created by Nei Fujihira through this tea bowl, and experience the deep serenity and rich emotion.

<<Toshihira Yasushi’s Pottery History>>
1963 Born in Kyoto Prefecture. Father is Shin Fujihira.
1988 Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Pottery Vocational Training School. Selected for the Nitten Exhibition (2 more times)
1989 Kyoto Exhibition Akane Award ('90 Mayor's Award) Selected for the Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition
1990 Selected for the Modern Asahi Craft Exhibition (four times since then)
1991 Ceramic Art Biennale Encouragement Award, All Kansai Art Exhibition Honorable Mention ('92 same award)
1992 Selected for the Kyoto Craft Biennale Selected for the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition
1993 All-Kansai Art Exhibition, Kansai Award, 2nd Place
2008: Submitted to the Paramita Ceramic Art Grand Prize Exhibition