Celadon confectionery container by Suwa Sozan

Width: 22.7cm Height: 4.5cm

Capturing the heavenly scenery in a vessel - Nerikomi

This piece, "Nerikomi Celadon Candy Dish," is made by layering four colors of porcelain clay - white porcelain, celadon porcelain, blue porcelain, and red porcelain - and molding it so that the laws of nature, depicted by the rotation of the potter's wheel, are reflected directly on the vessel. Nerikomi is a highly advanced technique in which clay is layered and turned on the potter's wheel , rather than mixing multiple types of porcelain clay together. The greatest appeal of this piece is the pattern, which is woven together by controlled chance, while excluding artificiality.

This particular piece is made by cutting open a cylindrical piece of clay and then stamping it into a plate , which creates a fantastical, horizontally flowing striped pattern that is different from the swirl pattern seen on matcha bowls.The pattern is reminiscent of the bands of clouds seen when looking up at the sky at dusk, or the landscape of the cosmos with its trailing nebulae.

A symphony of celestial clay

The clarity of white porcelain, the serenity of celadon, the depth of indigo, and the soft light of red porcelain - the overlapping of these four colors of porcelain clay creates not just a geometric pattern, but an organic gradation that is reminiscent of nature . In particular, where red and blue intersect, a subtle purple expression is born, exuding the "accidental harmony" that is unique to the nerikomi technique.

This natural layering of colors changes depending on the light, appearing cool in the morning light and slightly reddish in the evening, embodying the fluctuations of luster that are unique to celadon porcelain.It is as if "time" and "space" are sealed within this vessel.

Functional beauty as a confectionery dish

With a diameter of approximately 23cm, this piece is an extremely suitable size for a confectionery container, and its exquisite design complements the colors of fresh confectionery such as nerikiri and kinton .

The tranquil appearance of the celadon glaze complements the gorgeousness of the sweets, naturally creating an aesthetic of "harmony and contrast" at a tea ceremony . In particular, when white and red nerikiri sweets are placed in this sweets dish, they blend in with the base color of the dish, creating the illusion that a "scenery is born within the dish."

The edges are slightly raised, which prevents sweets from slipping off and gives a sense of security when held in the hand. The glaze is evenly applied, and the surface is smooth and glossy. When serving, dish towels and wooden ladles do not get caught on the surface, making it easy to handle.

The Universe of Nerikomi Celadon

Although the kneading technique has existed for a long time, multi-color kneading in porcelain requires extremely advanced techniques. If the firing shrinkage rate of each porcelain clay and the differences in the color of the finished product cannot be perfectly controlled, distortions and cracks will occur inside the vessel.

Suwa Sozan IV has elevated this nerikomi porcelain to the realm of modern celadon, creating forms with a time axis reminiscent of the movement of celestial bodies and the creation of the universe . The patterns seen in this piece could be said to be the result of a "poetic science" that transplants the flow of extraterrestrial time into a vessel.

Genealogy and aesthetic sense

Since its founding, the Suwa Sozan family has pursued the revival and modern reinterpretation of celadon porcelain, passing on its techniques and philosophy to the third and fourth generations. In particular, the fourth generation Suwa Sozan, whose mother was the twelfth generation Nakamura Sotetsu, is known as a rare artist who combines the aesthetic sense of the tea ceremony with the spirit of craftsmanship.

This piece is also permeated with the idea that "beauty is achieved through the skill to induce coincidence," and exists not as a mere decoration but as a vessel that awakens the sensibilities of those who view and use it .

The richness of eating the sky

The "Nerikomi Celadon Confectionery Dish" is not just tableware. It is a poetic crystallization of modern ceramics that allows you to hold a heavenly view in the palm of your hand .

The Japanese sweets served on it represent the fleeting beauty of nature, and this piece of tableware elevates that beauty even further to the heavens. It is as if you are scooping up the sky and bringing it to your mouth - that is the true value of this confectionery dish.