Tea bowl with a soft, milky hue by Nishihata Tadashi

Width: 14.2cm Depth: 12.2cm Height: 10.4cm

Introduction

The refined beauty of pure white straw glaze

This Tanba straw white-glazed tea bowl by Nishibata Tadashi is covered entirely in pure white glaze, giving it a pure and clean beauty. The whiteness is like fresh snow, and it gives the bowl a feeling of softness and tranquility. However, this simple "white" color does not make this tea bowl merely simple. Rather, by creating a deep depth and diverse expression within the white color, it has a unique presence unlike any other work.

Complex chamfering creates beautiful form

The most striking feature of this tea bowl is its unique beauty of form, with intricately beveled edges. This intricate beveling, not seen on ordinary tea bowls, is the result of innovation that Nishibata Tadashi has developed through years of research and accumulated techniques. Like a work of sculpture, each bevel is sharp, yet the bowl as a whole has a harmonious beauty, giving the entire bowl a three-dimensional movement. This complex form, combined with the pure white straw-white glaze, gives the tea bowl an overwhelming presence.

A bold design that no one has ever attempted before

This tea bowl is a truly one-of-a-kind masterpiece with a beauty of form that no one has ever attempted before. Following the traditions of Tamba ware while pursuing an unprecedented form, the work beautifully expresses boldness and innovation. All elements, such as the angle and depth of the chamfer and the control of the flow of the glaze, are exquisitely combined, demonstrating the craftsman's technical ability and artistic sensibility honed to the utmost. This tea bowl, created through such a bold challenge, gives the viewer an overwhelming sense of power, just like a one-of-a-kind sculpture.

A fusion of overwhelming presence and elegance

In addition to its impressive beauty, this tea bowl also gives off an impression of elegance and refinement. The three-dimensional shadows created by the intricate chamfering show different expressions depending on the amount of light, and it is designed so that you can enjoy various beauty depending on the angle from which you view it. Furthermore, the pure white glaze gently envelops the shape, giving the bowl an overall beautiful and well-balanced look. This overwhelming presence and elegance can be felt at the same time, which is the great appeal of this tea bowl and gives it a special value that is unlike any other.

Beauty with practicality

This Tanba straw white-glazed tea bowl is not only beautiful as a work of art, but is also noteworthy for its practicality. Contrary to its gorgeous appearance, when you actually pick it up you can feel how comfortable it is to hold, and it fully demonstrates its charm during everyday tea ceremonies. Nishihata Tadashi creates his tea bowls without ever forgetting their functionality as "vessels to be used," so this tea bowl blends seamlessly into both tea ceremonies and everyday use. The pleasant feel and stability, which can only be felt by using it rather than just looking at it, make this tea bowl even more appealing.

A crystallization of traditional techniques and innovation

This tea bowl is a product of both Nishibata Tadashi's traditional techniques and innovative spirit. While faithfully adhering to the techniques that have been refined over the long history of Tamba ware, this piece also embodies his pursuit of new shapes and beauty that have never been seen before. In particular, the use of pure white glaze and the complex chamfered shapes could not have been achieved without ideas that are unconstrained by conventional frameworks and high technical ability, and in that respect, it presents new possibilities for Tamba ware.

Enjoy watching with friends

This Tanba straw white glaze tea bowl is a piece that you will want to appreciate its beauty with your friends and guests. In particular, the combination of the intricate chamfering not seen on ordinary tea bowls and the pure white glaze will have a strong presence at the tea ceremony and will surely be the center of conversation. By picking up this tea bowl at the tea ceremony and savoring the beautiful chamfered lines and the shifting light, you will be able to share a special time and emotion. Such pieces go beyond being mere tea ceremony utensils and, as works of art, have a strong impact on the viewer's heart.

A masterpiece to be cherished forever

This Tanba straw white glaze tea bowl will continue to maintain its beauty and presence without fading even after many years. As you use it, the expression of the white glaze will become richer and the unique texture will increase, making you feel more attached to the tea bowl. Therefore, this tea bowl is not only worth accompanying your daily tea ceremony moments, but also worth passing down from generation to generation and cherishing as a lifelong treasure.

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, New York, USA.
Solo Exhibition at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in 2018