Description: This Mashiko ware tea bowl is finished in a deep black glaze with rust-brown splashes, drawing on the classic Henan Tenmoku style. The thick glaze covers both the interior and exterior, where the warm, irregular brown mottling recalls tortoiseshell. Just above the foot, the glaze comes to a stop, leaving the coarse, earthy texture of the unglazed Mashiko clay exposed. The base is neatly carved, and a maker's mark is impressed near the foot ring. Mashiko ware (益子焼) is a traditional Japanese pottery from Tochigi Prefecture, known for its rustic, practical forms and earthy clay, and closely associated with the Mingei (folk art) movement. Tenmoku (天目) is the Japanese term for dark-glazed ceramics originally inspired by Chinese Jian and Jizhou wares, often used for tea bowls. Henan Tenmoku (河南天目) refers to a style marked by a dark brown or black glaze interrupted by rust-colored or russet splashes, tracing its origins to the Cizhou kilns in Henan, China. The bowl comes with its original wooden box (tomobako), signed and sealed by the artist on the inside of the lid, together with a wrapping cloth and an artist's profile. Dimensions: Diameter: 11 cm Height: 8.5 cm Weight: 329 g Condition: No chips, cracks or restorations. Artist Profile: Sakuma Fujiya (b. 1963) is a Japanese ceramic artist based in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture. He is the fourth-generation head of the Sakuma Totaro Kiln. His grandfather, Sakuma Totaro, was a highly influential figure in the Mingei (folk art) movement and worked closely with the Living National Treasure, Shoji Hamada. Fujiya graduated from the Nagoya University of Arts in 1985 and further trained at the Tochigi Prefectural Ceramics Instruction Center before joining his family's kiln in 1986. He has exhibited extensively at the Kokuten (National Exhibition), where he won the Encouragement Prize in 2002, the Newcomer Prize in 2003, and the prestigious Kokuga Award in 2005. He is currently a member of the Kokugakai (National Craft Association). In 1996, he was commissioned by the Nikko Toshogu Shrine to create a matcha tea bowl for donation to the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds, UK. Additional Notes Please review all photos carefully as they are part of the item description. Shipping Information: All items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post, depending on the destination. Each piece is carefully packed using professional materials suitable for fine art shipping. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. Shipping costs vary by item depending on the nature of the work, its size, and shipping requirements. For some pieces, shipping may be included as part of the overall service. Shipping conditions are clearly stated for each individual listing. We cannot under-declare item values or mark shipments as gifts. Import Duties & Taxes: Import duties, VAT, and any additional customs or processing fees are not included in the auction price. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your local customs office for details before bidding. Customs Communication: Customs or the shipping carrier may contact you for additional information (such as ID verification or payment of duties). Please respond promptly to avoid delays or returns. Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.