Fukuda Sōi - Tea bowl - Clay

Hoju Chawan　宝珠茶碗（ほうじゅちゃわん）｜Fukuda Soi　福田宗位（ふくだそうい）

This tea bowl, titled “Hoju,” is a warm and expressive example of Japanese ceramic culture from the 1970s–1980s, characterized by its generous feldspar glaze and subtle iron-painted decoration.
The thick, milky-white glaze forms a soft, tactile surface, while areas of thinner glaze and exposed clay reveal reddish fire marks that add depth and natural contrast.

The iron-painted motifs, rendered with an unpretentious and gentle hand, give the bowl a quiet charm that resonates strongly with the aesthetics of the Japanese tea ceremony.
Its balanced proportions, reassuring weight, and earthy presence make it a bowl that feels both comfortable in use and satisfying to contemplate.

The accompanying original wooden box bears the inscription “Soi.”
Fukuda Soi was a tea practitioner who played an important role in spreading the Omotesenke school of tea in Nagano Prefecture after the Second World War.
While it is not definitively confirmed whether this bowl was personally made by Fukuda Soi himself, the association with his name and tea activity adds historical and cultural context that enhances the appeal of this piece as a chawan closely connected to the world of tea.

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Artist Profile
Fukuda Soi (1912–1993)
Tea practitioner.
Founder of an Omotesenke tea association in Nagano Prefecture in 1947.
Active in promoting tea culture primarily in Nagano Prefecture.

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Accessories
Original wooden storage box (tomobako)

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Dimensions & Weight
Height: 8 cm
Diameter: 12 cm
Weight: 401 g

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Technique & Condition
Ceramic ware
Clay, iron glaze, feldspar glaze
Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

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Shipping
Shipping via Japan Post EMS from Japan.
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Items are securely packed to ensure safe international delivery.

Import duties, VAT, and customs handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.

For bidders in the United States:
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