Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Clay Brushed Tea Bowl by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 13.8cm Height: 6.6cm

Brushed tea bowl made from clay from the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple by Rakusai Onishi

--1,300 years of sacred soil and a white brush stroke--

1. Overview of the work

This tea bowl was made with the foundation soil of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple, which was collected during the major repair work in the Reiwa era, and was finished by the eighth generation Onisi Rakusai using the "Hakeme" technique. It is a curved cylindrical bowl with a mouth diameter of about 14 cm and a height of about 7 cm, and the white brush marks running from the body to the waist connect the scenery like the spring mist of Yamato.

2. Scenery and glaze

The reddish-brown colour of the base material <br data-end="252" data-start="249">The high iron content of the base soil develops its colour during reduction firing, giving the base a reddish-brown to purple-brown earthy colour.

White makeup brush marks <br data-end="314" data-start="311">The kaolin-based white makeup clay was applied in one stroke with a horsehair brush, and the brush strokes remain as uneven surfaces. Because the piece was fired without being glazed, the edges of the makeup are fuzzy, giving it a rough texture.

Purple steel color produced by kiln transformation
The rim and inside of the pot, which have been heavily exposed to the fire, show a purple steel luster that is the result of an intersection of oxidation and reduction, and the rim shines slightly when matcha tea is poured into it.

3. Forming and baking

Turning on a potter's wheel and making the clay thin <br data-end="530" data-start="527">The clay is mainly base soil with about 30% red skin soil added, and it is turned thinly in one go while leaving the coarse grain.

Applying White Glaze <br data-end="590" data-start="587">The white glaze is brushed on before drying and then lightly wiped off with a finger when it is dry, making the surface uneven and adding depth to the scenery.

Wood-fired kiln firing (strong reduction)
It is made by burning pine wood for 48 hours. It is kept at around 1250℃, and then the air is squeezed out to cool it down quickly. This causes the iron to crystallize, resulting in the dark purple color and metallic luster.

4. The significance of using foundation soil

The clay that supported the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple for 1,300 years is rich in iron, quartz, and mica, and when fired it shows a unique texture that combines a metallic sparkle with a reddish earthen color. Onishi Rakusai's theme is "transforming still clay into a vessel of movement," and he uses brush strokes without glaze to bring out the voice of the clay itself .

5. Arrangements at the tea ceremony

6. Usability

The rim is thinly carved, making it light on the lips. The roughness of the brush strokes feels comfortable in the palm of your hand, and when you pour tea into it, the bubbles mix with the unevenness of the white paint, creating a rich pattern of light and shade.

7. Summary

The "Yakushiji East Pagoda Foundation Clay Brushed Tea Bowl" features a unique scene born from the overlapping of the clay that supported the sacred pagoda, the fleeting brush strokes of the brush, and the coincidence of the flame. This bowl quietly resonates with the history of Nara and the wabi of tea through the breath of the clay felt in the palm of your hand and the lingering impression of the white brush. Please enjoy this bowl at a tea ceremony in any season, while thinking about 1,300 years of prayer.

Made from 100% clay from within the grounds of Yakushiji Temple, this piece is characterised by its clear beauty, with all impurities thoroughly removed. The clay has been around for ages and is homogeneous, and when fired it takes on a clear luster, and when fired it takes on a gentle colour like old roofing tiles. Its smooth texture and resistance to warping are also appealing. The story of the clay, which holds 1,300 years of history, gives you a sense of peace every time you pick it up. This is a special piece that combines material, beauty and spirituality.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi – High-end pottery specialty store [Amagi-do]