Blue porcelain crescent moon tea bowl Suwa Sozan

Width: 13.0cm Height: 7.0cm

This piece, "Selaphi Crescent Moon Tea Bowl," is a poetic masterpiece that combines the celadon technique and openwork expression that Suwa Sozan IV has been pursuing for many years. A crescent moon faintly emerges from the tranquil beauty of the celadon - its faint light-like design is a symphony of light and shadow, a crystallization of the response between the vessel and nature.

Crescent Moon Openwork - "The Beauty of the Invisible" Residing in Pottery

The most distinctive feature of this tea bowl is the crescent moon design that gently appears on the inside wall when held up to a bright light source. It is not visible when you pick it up and look at it, but the moment you hold it up to the light, the soft crescent shape appears, slightly translucent, on the inside of the bowl. This expression is achieved by finishing part of the porcelain base as thin as possible, and is a highly advanced technique that can only be achieved with a thick glaze, uniform firing, and highly precise molding techniques.

The attempt to "reflect the moon in celadon" is an extremely original design with no parallels even in the Longquan kilns of the Southern Song Dynasty; it goes beyond a simple display of technical skill; it crystallizes in the vessel the very oriental sensibility of quietly admiring the moon.

The depth of celadon glaze and moonlight

The celadon glaze follows the unique "Sozan Celadon" that the first generation Suwa Sozan perfected after much trial and error. The bluish glaze color, reminiscent of jade, is created by a subtle change in the iron content during reduction firing, and the light shining through it makes its depth stand out even more. In particular, in this piece, the glaze around the transparent moon has a slight pool of color, creating an effect that makes the moonlight blur, almost reminiscent of an actual moon floating among the clouds.

The work's appearance changes depending on the viewing angle, the intensity of the light, and the time of day, demonstrating that it is not a static work of art, but a poetic existence that is completed through a "dialogue with a moment of light."

Harmony between form and hand

The shape of the vessel is slightly open with a curved edge, and while the inside diameter is suitable for making matcha, it also feels stable when held in the hand and has a beautiful appearance. The base is slightly low, lowering the center of gravity and allowing it to fit naturally in the palm of your hand. By deliberately placing a "hidden moon" within this shape, you can see the profound design concept that brings the joy of discovery to the user.

The moon and the tea ceremony - an elegant combination

In the tea ceremony, the moon is an important symbol that often appears in poetic designs and hanging scrolls, and the crescent moon in particular is imbued with hidden meanings of rebirth, change, and hope. This piece not only visually represents the moon, but also brings poetry and philosophy to the temporary space of the tea ceremony by appearing during actual use.

The crescent moon that appears depending on the light introduces an "invisible beauty" into this once-in-a-lifetime encounter -- a work that truly embodies the spirit of "praise of shadows" in the tea ceremony.

Conclusion: A vessel that holds the night sky in the palm of your hand

The "Seila Transparent Crescent Moon Tea Bowl" is not just a work of art, but a "poetic vessel" that is completed through the intersection of the viewer's sensitivity and the natural phenomenon of light. If you pick it up in your daily life and hold it up to the light, a crescent moon will appear. This momentary dialogue quietly asks us "What is beauty?" and "What is the visible?"

This tea bowl, created by Suwa Sozan, is a microcosm of celadon that confines moonlight. It is a masterpiece filled with elegance and lingering aftertaste, providing a poetic moment of holding the night sky in the palm of your hand.