Whale Skin Tea Bowl by Yuichi Ikai

Width: 14.6cm Height: 7.6cm

Characteristics and decorative beauty of whale hides

"Hikkujira" is a traditional decoration seen on Karatsu tea bowls and sake cups, and is a technique for applying a black border to the rim . The name comes from the fact that the black border resembles whale skin, and the white and grey parts of the vessel itself resemble the belly of a whale. This black color is made using iron paint, and when the glaze is applied and then fired, the iron turns black, creating a unique and beautiful appearance.

In Yuichi Ikai's whale tea bowl, the thickness and thinness of the lines give the bowl a sense of movement, and the iron painting method varies from piece to piece. From uniform painting to those that are interrupted as they go around the rim, you can enjoy a variety of expressions.

Inside vs. Outside

One of the distinctive elements of this piece is the contrast between the inside and outside . The inside of the vessel is painted with thick, bold lines, while the outside rim is delicately painted with thin black lines. This delicacy tightens the whole piece and creates a different atmosphere between the inside and outside. This contrast gives the piece depth and gives a different impression depending on the viewing angle, maintaining its timeless beauty.

The Importance of "Change" and "Contrast"

In ceramic works in general, perfectly symmetrical shapes and uniform colors often lack depth. Therefore, by adding subtle "variations" through the application of glaze and scraping marks, life is breathed into the vessel. In this tea bowl, the flow of glaze and the scraping techniques are exquisitely combined to give the vessel a unique expression. In addition, the decoration has a good balance between gorgeousness and quietness, making it a work that you will not tire of even if you use it for a long time.

The beauty of the hill and attention to detail

The foot is also an essential element to the beauty of the piece. Ikai Yuichi's Hikujira tea bowl features a foot that shows the clay , making use of the simple texture of the clay. The transparent glaze and ash glaze layers near the rim blend beautifully, and the brown coloring from the iron in the clay gives the area around the foot a unique texture. This attention to detail balances the entire piece, and the natural overlapping of the glaze layers brings out a deeper beauty.

summary

Yuichi Ikai's "Hikkujira Tea Bowl" is a work that exquisitely harmonizes the strength and delicacy of the iron painting , the contrast between the inside and outside , and the subtle changes created by the glaze and carving techniques. The longer it is used, the more attractive it becomes, and it has a depth that gives the viewer new discoveries. These contrasts and changes create timeless beauty in tea pottery, making everyday use a richer experience.