Straw white glaze tea bowl Nishidansei

Width: 13.4cm Depth: 13.0cm Height: 10.7cm

The depth of the straw-white glaze is reminiscent of pure snow

The straw-white glaze that covers this piece has a pure white texture that seems to capture a clear, snowy landscape, while also bearing speckled patterns here and there created by the iron contained in the straw ash. The contrast between black and white is tranquil, yet gives the surface a subtle shadow and a sense of warmth, drawing the viewer's attention. The fine crazing hidden in the glaze layer will likely be saturated with tea over time, deepening the expression of the piece.

Six undulating areas resembling overlapping petals

The rim is gently wavy like a six-petal flower, and the body is carved with nearly vertical undulations. This design allows the fingertips to naturally rest along the ridges, keeping the vessel stable in the palm of your hand. Every time light touches the ridges, the shadows are emphasized, and in the soft light of a tea ceremony, the movement is reminiscent of the opening and closing of petals, creating an outstanding effect.

Three-dimensional expression that makes the most of the earthiness of Tamba ware

The base is made from rough clay from Tanba, which contains just the right amount of iron. Dark brown particles seep out from under the glaze, adding depth to the white glaze. Furthermore, Nishibata Tadashi maximizes the plasticity of the clay, maintaining a thickness that will not tip over while leaving finger marks, achieving both a sculptural three-dimensional effect and the robustness of a practical vessel.

A sculptural beauty that combines stillness and movement

When you turn the vessel around, the serenity of the snow and the dynamism of the mountain ridges simultaneously emerge. The undulating exterior casts powerful shadows, while the soft curves of the interior gently reflect the tea bubbles. When brewing thick tea, the white glaze gently reflects the dark brown water, while when brewing thin tea, you can enjoy the delicate color changes created by the pale green and ink spots.

A harmony of practicality and beauty

The curved rim makes it smooth to the touch, and the spacious interior does not hinder the movement of the chasen. The stable base and moderate thickness make it suitable for a wide range of uses, from everyday use to formal tea ceremonies. With use, the crazing in the straw-white glaze gradually absorbs tea, allowing you to enjoy the process of its beautiful appearance developing.

Innovation based on tradition

Based on clay and ash, which are rooted in the history of Tamba ware, this work breaks new ground with its bold form reminiscent of a six-petal flower, and is the crystallization of Nishibata Tadashi's unique innovative spirit. The rich expression hidden within the "pure" white and the functional beauty exemplified by the comfortable feel in the hand speak of its value as a sculptural work that goes beyond the mere concept of a tea bowl.

With its pure white and lingering ink speckles, and the floral vibe of its undulating ridges, this tea bowl reflects a sense of life fluctuating in silence, adding a profound story to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of the tea ceremony. With long-term cherishing, the beauty of the straw-white glaze will grow even richer, becoming a companion that will age alongside you.

Tadashi Nishibata Biography

Born on February 24, 1948. Started making pottery in 1969. 1976. Hyogo Prefectural Exhibition Encouragement Award. 1986. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition for the first time. 1988. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Japan Crafts Association President's Award. 1989. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Nogawa Memorial Award, Handon no Kai. 1991. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Selected for the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition. Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. 1992. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. Hyogo Prefecture Emerging Artist Encouragement Award. Invited to exhibit at the NHK-sponsored Paris - 100 Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition. Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition. 1993. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store. Kyoto Chemin. 1994. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store. 1995. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store. 1996. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Awarded the Excellence Award at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition, solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
1997 Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition 1998 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2000 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Fukuoka 2001 Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2002 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2003 Solo exhibition at Touchingston, USA 2004 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima 2005 Exhibited at the Akashi City Museum of Culture and Hyogo Ceramics Exhibition Purchase of Akadobedai, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima, Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Main Store 2006 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Design Exhibition Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the New York Japan Society Gallery Solo exhibition at Yokohama Takashimaya Touchingston, USA Father and Son Exhibition at Matsuyama Takashimaya Toshunkai Exhibition, Sogo Yokohama. Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition in 2008. Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition. Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA. Toshunkai Exhibition, Funabashi, Seibu, Sogo Hiroshima. Invited to the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition in 2009. Solo Exhibition, Gallery Dojima, Sendai Mitsukoshi, 2010. Sogo Kobe. Exhibited in the Musee Tomo Grand Prize Exhibition, Contemporary Tea. Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya, Touchingston, USA. Invited to the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition. Solo Exhibition, Joan B. Marvis, New York, USA. Invited to the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition in 2013. Exhibited in the "Contemporary Famous Bowls" exhibition at the Musee Tomo, Kanmi Kikuchi Memorial. Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA. Gallery Miyazaki, Sogo Kobe, Chiba Sogo, 2014. Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Nihombashi, 2015. Received the Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Award in 2016. Exhibited at Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art for "Ceramics that Color Our Lives - Food Ware" Exhibited at Joan B. Marvis' 40th Anniversary Exhibition in 2017.
2018 Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store

A conversation with Tadashi Nishibata