A New Year zodiac tea bowl (eto-jawan) in Zeze ware, made by Iwasaki Shinjō (1913–2009) at the historic Kageroen kiln in Ōtsu, Shiga. Zeze ware is counted among the Seven Kilns of Kobori Enshū, and its hallmark is a deep, iron-rich glaze in the restrained "kirei-sabi" taste of the tea world. Iwasaki Shinjō was the son of Iwasaki Kenzō, who revived the kiln in 1919; he went on to found the Zeze Ware Art Museum (1987) and was honored by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry as a distinguished figure of traditional industry in 1991. The bowl is glazed in a lustrous dark iron glaze, warm black shading to amber where it thins at the rim and foot. Across the front a ram is painted in gold — front-facing, with boldly curled horns — marking the Year of the Ram (辛未, 1991), the zodiac sign for which this bowl was made. The motif sits with quiet dignity against the dark ground, the gold catching the light as the bowl is turned. Made in 1991 (Heisei 3). Accompanied by its original signed wooden box (tomobako), the lid inscribed with the ware, the title as a Heisei kanoto-hitsuji zodiac tea bowl, and the artist's signature and seal — important for provenance and for use in the tea ceremony. Details Maker: Iwasaki Shinjō (Kageroen), Zeze ware Year: 1991 (Heisei 3), Year of the Ram Decoration: Gold ram on iron glaze Dimensions: diameter approx. 4.9in/12.5cm × height approx. 3.1in/8cm Box: Original signed tomobako (included)