Straw white glaze Katakuchi Nishibansei

Width: 14.4cm Depth: 10.0cm Height: 9.6cm

Straw white glaze Katakuchi by Tadashi Nishihan

- A gentle vessel shape created by dripping glaze and red clay

The "Wara-Hakuyu Katakuchi" by Nishibata Tadashi is a piece with a smooth yet organic form, with a thick layer of straw-hakuyu glaze giving it a soft look. It is a piece that has a quiet presence, with a function for pouring, but also a sculpture-like form.

The milky consistency of straw-white glaze

The straw white glaze that covers the entire vessel is smooth and thick, reminiscent of warm milk, and has a soft glow. The black spots and flowing patterns created by the firing process appear irregularly, enhancing the charm of each unique piece that can only be made by hand. The red clay of the base partially peeks through, creating a contrast between white and red, giving the vessel a rich depth.

Natural shape that fits comfortably in your hand

This katakuchi sake cup has a slightly bulging rim, designed to fit comfortably in the hand. The distortion and wobble of the entire vessel may seem accidental, but it is actually calculated, giving it an organic impression, like a stone or fruit found in nature. Nishibata-sama's unique sensibility is alive in every detail of the design.

A dialogue between red clay and white glaze

The simple iron-rich color of the red clay of Tanba takes on an even deeper expression when combined with the straw white glaze. The red clay peeking out from around the rim and foot is particularly powerful, as if peeking out from a crack in the earth, creating a striking contrast with the glaze. The white stands out, making the red stand out even more.

Tableware for tea and sake ceremonies

This katakuchi is versatile enough to be used not only as a sake cup, but also as a water pourer or flower vase at a tea ceremony. Its restrained design blends in seamlessly with the space, while still exuding a distinct individuality, revealing a new face each time it is used. It has a quiet, yet solid beauty.

The more you use it, the more beautiful it becomes

The more straw-glazed vessels are used, the deeper the crazing will become, and the more a subtle sheen will be added to the surface of the glaze. This katakuchi will also gain more character over the years, and grow into a vessel that will fit in with the user's lifestyle. It will become a part of your daily life, naturally blending in with it while maintaining a comfortable sense of tension.

This "Straw White Glazed Katakuchi" is a work that combines Nishibata Tadashi's delicate sensibility with his deep understanding of earth. This vessel, which combines beauty and practicality, is sure to quietly accompany you in your daily life and become a beloved item for a long time.

Masashi 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, Handon no Kai, Nogawa Memorial Award. 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, Tea Ceremony Forms Exhibition, Excellence Award, Hyogo Prefecture Emerging Artist Encouragement Award. Invited to exhibit at the NHK-sponsored Paris-Japanese Ceramics Now 100 Selections, 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 Art Exhibition, solo exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store
1997 Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition 1998 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2000 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Fukuoka 2001 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2002 Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima 2003 Solo exhibition at Santa Fe Touchingston, USA 2004 Father and son exhibition at Sogo Hiroshima store Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition 2005 Exhibited at Akashi City Museum of Culture and Hyogo Ceramics Exhibition Purchased Akadobedai, Hyogo Ceramic Art Museum Solo exhibition at Gallery Dojima Mitsukoshi Nihonbashi 2006 Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston and the Japan Society Gallery of New York Solo exhibition at Takashimaya Yokohama Touchingston, USA Father and son exhibition at Takashimaya Matsuyama 2007 Toshun-kai Exhibition, Sogo Yokohama Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition 2008 Selected for the Japanese Traditional Crafts Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, Touchingston, USA Toshun-kai Exhibition, Funabashi Seibu Sogo Hiroshima Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition 2009 Solo Exhibition, Gallery Dojima, Sendai Mitsukoshi 2010 Sogo Kobe Exhibited at the Musee Tomo Grand Prize Exhibition, Contemporary Tea Solo Exhibition, Yokohama Takashimaya Touchingston, USA, Santa Fe, 2011 Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Joan B. Marvis, New York, USA Invited to exhibit at the Japanese Ceramics Exhibition 2013 Exhibited at the Musee Tomo "Contemporary Famous Bowls" Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, USA Miyazaki Gallery, Sogo Kobe Chiba Sogo 2014 Solo Exhibition Solo Exhibition, Mitsukoshi Main Store, Santa Fe, USA 2015 Received the Hyogo Prefecture Cultural Award in 2016. Exhibited at Higashihiroshima City Museum of Art for Ceramics that Color Our Lives - Food Wares. Exhibited at Joan B. Marvis' 40th Anniversary Exhibition in 2017.
Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in 2018

A conversation with Masashi Nishibata