– Created by Hara Kiyoshi, designated Living National Treasure for kohiki (powder-引) technique – Classic kohiki glaze with soft white surface and warm tactile quality – Tea ceremony vessel, approximately 13.8 cm diameter, suitable for display or ceremonial use Summary: This kohiki tea bowl is the work of Hara Kiyoshi (1936–), recognised as a Living National Treasure (Ningen Kokuhō) for his mastery of the kohiki technique. Kohiki, meaning "powder-applied," involves coating iron-rich clay with white slip before firing, resulting in a soft, milky surface beloved in Japanese tea ceremony. Hara's work represents the pinnacle of contemporary Mino ceramics, continuing traditions established during the Momoyama period whilst bringing a distinctly modern sensibility. The piece measures approximately 13.8 cm in diameter and stands in excellent overall condition. There are moments in Japanese ceramics when technique transcends craft and becomes philosophy. This tea bowl embodies precisely that threshold. Hara Kiyoshi's kohiki method draws from sixteenth-century Korean peninsula traditions, reinterpreted through decades of personal refinement in Gifu Prefecture's historic Mino kilns. Living National Treasure status in Japan—formally titled Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property—represents the nation's highest recognition for traditional arts. Awarded by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the designation acknowledges not merely technical excellence but the preservation and evolution of irreplaceable cultural techniques. Hara Kiyoshi received this honour for kohiki, a deceptively simple process requiring profound understanding of clay bodies, slip chemistry, and firing atmospheres. His work has been exhibited at major institutions including the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, where he has received numerous accolades over a career spanning six decades. The kohiki technique begins with coarse, iron-bearing clay—typically from Korean-influenced traditions—which is then coated with a fine white slip before the glaze firing. The result is a surface that feels almost powdery to the touch, with subtle variations where the dark clay body peeks through the white coating. This interplay between concealment and revelation mirrors the wabi-sabi aesthetic central to tea ceremony: beauty found in imperfection, transience, and humble materials. What distinguishes Hara's kohiki from historical precedents is his control over surface texture and colour gradation. Where Joseon-era Korean kohiki often exhibits stark contrasts, Hara achieves subtle tonal shifts—from warm ivory to cool grey-white—that respond beautifully to changing light. The bowl's form follows classic chawan proportions: a stable foot ring, gently curved walls that cradle liquid without constriction, and a rim that feels natural against the lip. For contemporary collectors, particularly those building Japanese ceramics collections in European contexts, Hara's work offers several points of appeal. First, the Living National Treasure designation provides unimpeachable provenance—a guarantee of authenticity and historical significance. Second, kohiki's restrained palette and organic texture integrate seamlessly into minimalist interiors, whether displayed on floating shelves against white walls or nestled in traditional tokonoma alcoves. The bowl's muted warmth complements Scandinavian woods, concrete surfaces, and neutral textiles equally well. Tea bowls of this calibre serve dual purposes. For practitioners of tea ceremony (chadō), the piece offers functional beauty—the kohiki surface develops a subtle patina through use, deepening the connection between object and owner. For those who appreciate ceramics as sculptural art, the bowl becomes a meditative focal point, inviting contemplation of material transformation and the potter's hand. The tactile quality of kohiki cannot be overstated; these surfaces almost ask to be held, their slight irregularities registering as warmth rather than flaw. This bowl represents an accessible entry point into Living National Treasure work—a category often commanding substantial prices at international auction. Hara Kiyoshi's pieces appear regularly in Japanese art market reports, with comparable works finding homes in private collections from Tokyo to London. The combination of cultural significance, aesthetic refinement, and functional possibility makes this an increasingly sought-after category for discerning collectors. Condition presents as excellent overall, consistent with careful handling and storage. The kohiki surface shows the characteristic subtle variations that authenticate the hand-making process—no two areas are identical, a quality machine production cannot replicate. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome—we reply within 24 hours.