Tenmoku glaze cylindrical tea bowl by Okada Yu

Width: 11.4cm Height: 7.7cm

Tenmoku-yu cylindrical tea bowl by Masaru Okada -- "A cylindrical scene filled with night stardust and gently embracing the mountain breeze"

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A jet-black cylinder that reflects the starlight

The Tenmoku glaze that covers this piece is a deep lapis lazuli black with tiny crystals like silver sand scattered throughout, as if the silent night sky were sealed within the vessel's walls. Whenever it catches the faint light, the twinkling stars sway, drawing the eye into the depths of the vessel. A soft reddish purple appears on the rim, a vestige of the reduction flame, bringing a faint warmth into the darkness.

The double body creates a shadow band

Two circular steps run around the cylindrical body, forming a band of shadow. These subtle undulations naturally rest on the fingers when picked up, providing a stable grip. At the same time, the light flows along the steps, creating a rhythmic gradation on the jet-black glaze surface, adding a dynamic look to the tranquil form.

The sparkle of silver sand shakes the tranquility

After glazing, the piece is reduced in temperature in a wood-fired kiln, causing iron to precipitate, and depending on the angle from which it is viewed, a silvery light resembling thin ice appears. When brewing strong tea, starlight appears among the bubbles, and when brewing thin tea, the pale green of the tea blends together like the gradation of the night sky, adding a poetic feeling to a tea bowl.

Functional beauty of a cylindrical shape that fits in the palm of your hand

The upright walls of the cylindrical tea bowl prevent bubbles from scattering around even when the chasen is submerged deep, stabilizing the tea ceremony. The slightly lower base stabilizes the center of gravity and is designed to be easy to turn with your fingertips. The mouth is slightly outwardly curved, making it smooth to the touch and gently receiving the drinker's lips.

Respect for tradition and new ventures

Okada Masaru fuses the gentle sense of form he developed in Gojozaka, Kiyomizu, with the dynamism of the natural surroundings of Uji and Sumiyama, with the ancient Tenmoku glaze that originated in the Song Dynasty. The double-body structure is reminiscent of the layers of clouds in the night sky, and the sparkle of the fine crystals is like stardust stirred up by the mountain wind. This piece, which is based on tradition but also exudes a unique poetic sentiment, goes beyond its practical use as a tea bowl and expands the viewer's imagination to the fullest.

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This Tenmoku-glazed cylindrical tea bowl embraces both the depth of the night and the brilliance of stardust at the same time. As the shadows shift in your palm, it will recall tranquil mountain scenery and the feeling of the breeze, bringing a mysterious story to your tea ceremony.

A conversation with Masaru Okada – High-end pottery specialty store [Amagi-do]