小川俊夫/Toshio Ogawa - Tea bowl - Ceramic - 窯変今古焼茶碗

Item Description
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Shipping method- The lot will be carefully packaged and sent by DHL or FedEx depend on the situation. It takes about 3 weeks to receive normally. Import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Sometimes Customes or delivery company in your country contact you for Customs clearance via phone or email. Please make sure that you could answer the phone. If you don't, the parcel will return to me and it cost more double shipping fee for reshipping. I appreciate your cooperation.

A striking Japanese Matcha tea bowl (Chawan) featuring an extraordinary Kairagi glaze covering the entire surface. Kairagi, meaning "plum blossom skin," refers to the distinctive crawling, shrinkage effect in the glaze that creates a textured, almost reptilian surface highly prized in Japanese tea ceremony aesthetics.
This bowl displays a masterful application of the Kairagi technique across its entire exterior, creating a dramatic landscape of grey-white crawling glaze with subtle golden-brown undertones visible through the cracks. The interior reveals a beautiful silvery-grey iridescent patina that has developed through use, adding depth and character to this handcrafted piece.
The bowl features a well-formed foot ring (kodai) with the artist's seal impressed inside—a circular mark containing an artistic design. This type of full-body Kairagi effect is technically challenging to achieve and represents a bold artistic statement in contemporary Japanese ceramics.
Traditionally, Kairagi was most famously associated with Korean Ido tea bowls, where it appeared primarily around the foot ring. Japanese potters have since explored this technique extensively, and a full-coverage Kairagi bowl like this represents a modern interpretation of this classical aesthetic. The effect resembles the texture of shark or ray skin, which was historically used to wrap sword handles—hence the name's connection to "ume" (plum) flower patterns.
This tea bowl embodies the Japanese aesthetic principle of finding beauty in imperfection and natural processes, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate the deeper philosophical aspects of Chado (the Way of Tea).
My Message:
Thank you for looking at my item. I operate a recycling shop in Japan and participate in Catawiki because I want to share fine Japanese craftsmanship and historical items with the world. If you have any questions about this item, please feel free to message me anytime. With gratitude to everyone, "ARIGATO."

Size
Height: 7.5 cm
Width: 13 cm
Diameter: 13 cm

Weight
312 g

Condition
Good vintage condition with no notable chips, cracks, or damage; the interior bottom shows light wear marks from use typical of a tea bowl that has been enjoyed in practice.

Artist Profile
The artist's identity remains unconfirmed. The bowl bears a circular seal mark on the foot ring interior containing an artistic design, but detailed information about the potter and production date is unavailable. The quality of craftsmanship suggests the work of a skilled ceramic artist familiar with traditional Japanese tea ceremony aesthetics.

Catawiki出品項目

Title of Artwork: Kairagi Matcha Chawan - Full-Body Crawling Glaze Tea Bowl with Artist Seal
Artist: Unknown Japanese potter (印あり / With seal)
Height: 7.5 cm
Width: 13 cm
Diameter: 13 cm
Decor: Kairagi (Crawling glaze)
Period: Unknown (contemporary estimated)
Condition: Good - minor signs of use
Provenance: From a Japanese collection