A porcelain teacup with a milky glaze by Nishihata Tadashi

Width: 9.4cm Depth: 9.4cm Height: 10.0cm

Introduction

A teacup with the dignity of a matcha bowl

The "Tamba Straw White Glazed Teacup" by Nishibata Tadashi has the practicality of a teacup, but also has the elegant beauty of a matcha bowl. Unlike ordinary teacups, this piece exudes a refined elegance, providing a special experience for the user. Although it is an everyday item, its appearance has a dignified presence, like a matcha bowl used at a tea ceremony, and just holding it in your hand gives you a sense of tension.

A teacup with sculptural beauty

The defining feature of this teacup is how intricate its shape is, like a work of art. Thanks to this outstanding craftsmanship, this teacup has value as a work of art that goes beyond the framework of a vessel. In particular, the beveled edges have a sharpness like a sculpture, giving the entire teacup a three-dimensional movement. This sculptural beauty brings depth and dimension to the simple shape, and you will discover something new every time you pick it up.

Chamfering creates a three-dimensional, sharp beauty

At the heart of this teacup's design is a complex chamfering technique. The sharp lines that set it apart from ordinary teacups tighten the overall look, giving it a three-dimensional, sophisticated impression. The angle and placement of the chamfer are calculated just as if a sculptor were carving stone or wood, and this precision gives the teacup a unique sense of tension and beauty. The light reflected off the chamfered parts creates subtle shadows, giving the teacup a dynamic impression, as if it were moving.

The softness and elegance of straw-white glaze

The straw white glaze applied to this teacup adds softness and elegance to the entire piece. The smooth texture of the straw white glaze is created as the glaze flows naturally, giving the teacup a smooth and elegant appearance. The white glaze that covers the entire teacup enhances the softness in contrast to the sharp lines of the chamfer, providing visual healing to the user. The harmony between the texture of the glaze and the shape creates a unique charm to the piece.

A fusion of practicality and beauty

This teacup was designed without forgetting its practicality. Its shape was designed to fit comfortably in the hand and to allow for the natural movement of bringing a drink to the mouth, without compromising its functionality as a vessel for everyday use. While it still fulfills its role as a teacup, the artistic beauty of the chamfered edges and straw white glaze make everyday moments special.

Value as a work of art

The "Tamba Wara Shiroyu Teacup" is more than just a teacup; it has value as a work of art. It is an exquisite fusion of functionality that can be felt when using it and beauty of form that can be enjoyed when looking at it, making it a presence that brings dignity to daily life. In particular, the contrast between the sharp shape of the chamfer and the soft texture of the straw white glaze makes this piece even more special, and the depth of beauty felt through the teacup is exceptional.

A teacup that will last a lifetime

The more you use this Tanba Wara White Glazed Teacup, the more you will grow to love it, and it is a lifelong vessel that you can continue to use for a long time. You will feel its beauty and practicality anew every time you use it on a daily basis. Every time you pick it up, you will appreciate the harmony of sculptural beauty and functionality, and as you use it, the unique texture will increase, making it even more special. The Tanba Wara White Glazed Teacup is a masterpiece that has the practicality of a teacup, but also the beauty of a sculpture. The three-dimensional beauty created by the complex and sharp chamfering and the soft and elegant texture of the straw white glaze are in perfect harmony, making it a work that can be enjoyed both visually and tactilely. You can enjoy its beauty and functionality every time you use it, and it will become a special vessel that you will continue to love throughout your life.

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