Chrysanthemum Tea Bowl by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 11.3cm Height: 7.7cm

This work by Onishi Rakusai is a gorgeous colored tea bowl with chrysanthemums scattered all over it. The glaze has a soft blue hue, which could be described as pale celadon, and the blooming chrysanthemums are painted with white and green glazes. The stems and leaves and the flower centers are tied together with gold paint, giving the piece both elegance and class. Below, we will explain its appeal from five different perspectives.

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1. Shape and glaze

Neat, bulging body shape <br data-start="218" data-end="221">The bulging body shape that rises gently from the inside has ideal proportions that allow the foam to spread evenly when brewing matcha.

The tranquility of pale celadon glaze <br data-start="290" data-end="293">The glaze that covers the base has a slight bluish tinge, with tiny cracks running through it like thin ice. The subdued color tone provides a tranquil setting to highlight the gorgeous chrysanthemum painting.

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2. Design: The auspicious white chrysanthemum

Contrast between white and green glaze <br data-start="407" data-end="410">The petals are placed somewhat thickly in white glaze, and the leaves are expressed three-dimensionally by layering green glaze over celadon glaze. The striking contrast between white and green gives the entire tea bowl a refreshing feel.

Gold paint and gold line edging <br data-start="502" data-end="505">Gold paint is applied to the center of the flowers and the veins, and the soft luster elegantly emphasizes the purity of the chrysanthemum. The vines and spikes of grass drawn with thin lines give the whole piece a sense of flow, creating a sense of continuity like a scene from a picture scroll.

The symbolism of the chrysanthemum <br data-start="606" data-end="609">The chrysanthemum symbolizes longevity and has been revered at the Double Ninth Festival (the ninth day of the ninth month of the lunar calendar) and at Imperial Court events. In this work, the white chrysanthemum takes center stage, while gold leaf is scattered throughout to create an auspicious performance of "nobility and wealth."

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3. Techniques - The refinement of Kyoto ware

Based on the traditional color painting techniques of Kyoto ware,

White paint : A thick layer of white lead paint is applied and then re-fired to give the piece a glossy finish, giving the petals a three-dimensional appearance.

Green glaze layering : Green glaze is applied twice to the leaf part, and the depth is intentionally varied to create a sense of light and shade.

Gold leaf : Fixed at around 800℃, creating a robust gold wire that is less likely to peel off.

By applying these processes in stages and using multiple firing processes, we are able to achieve both freshness of color and durability.

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4. Functional beauty at the tea ceremony

Matcha Looks Great <br data-start="965" data-end="968">The inside is unified with a nearly plain pale celadon glaze, reflecting the green of the matcha like a mirror. The reflection of the white chrysanthemums floating on the surface of the matcha makes it seem as if an "autumn moon" is dwelling within the bowl.

Stable handling <br data-start="1059" data-end="1062">The base is designed to be slightly thick, creating a step that allows your fingers to rest naturally when lifting it. Care has been taken to achieve both a light appearance and actual stability.

Creating a seasonal feel <br data-start="1149" data-end="1152">These vessels can be used widely from early to late autumn, as well as for special occasions such as the Double Ninth Festival and chrysanthemum tea ceremonies, allowing the host to use them to create a sense of season.

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5. Cultural background and modernity

The chrysanthemum is known as the Imperial family crest and has been a prestigious motif since ancient times. Onishi Rakusai has reinterpreted this traditional design with the modern color tone of pale celadon glaze and three-dimensional mori-e painting, achieving a lightness that stands out in modern tea ceremonies while maintaining the dignity of the classics. Furthermore, the bold composition with painting all over the surface elevates the act of turning the tea bowl itself into "the story of a stroll through a chrysanthemum garden."

This piece is a harmonious blend of the dignified chrysanthemums in the white glaze, the serenity of the pale celadon glaze, and the elegance of the gold leaf, making it seem as if the clear autumn air has been captured in it. If it is placed at a tea ceremony, guests will be transported to a garden filled with the scent of chrysanthemums in their hands, and will surrender themselves to a story of longevity and purity. Onishi Rakusai's chrysanthemum tea bowl is a masterpiece that can be said to be the pinnacle of "beauty of utility" and "beauty of storytelling", allowing guests to experience both the seasonal feeling and auspiciousness at the same time.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi