Item Description A Kyō-yaki (Kiyomizu-yaki) chawan (tea bowl) by Tezuka Keiun, made for the Imperial New Year's Poetry Reading (Utakai Hajime) theme, or chokudai, "Bridge" (Hashi). Each year the Imperial Household sets a single poetic theme, and tea wares decorated on that theme are traditionally used at tea gatherings throughout the new year — making this a seasonal and celebratory piece for the tea ceremony. The body is painted in gold and polychrome overglaze enamels (iro-e) with large fan-shaped panels (ōgimen): one depicting a bridge with vermilion railings over swirling waves, the other decorated with flowers and lattice patterns, accented with small floral roundels (hanamaru-mon). The reverse is decorated with a swirling motif in gold. The interior (mikomi) and foot are finished in a warm cream glaze. The inside of the foot ring bears the impressed seal "Keiun". Comes with its original tomobako (wooden box), inscribed "Chokudai Hashi Chawan" (tea bowl on the Imperial theme "Bridge") and signed "Keiun" (景雲) with the artist's seal. Dimensions Height: 8 cm Diameter: 12.5 cm Weight: 195 g Condition Appears unused and in good condition. No chips, cracks or repairs. The interior shows a soft pink kiln blush and a few small dark specks in the glaze, both natural effects of the firing, along with fine crackle (kannyū) typical of Kyō-yaki. There are faint stains and light soiling near the foot ring and very light soiling on the interior (please see photos). The tomobako shows age-related spotting and stains on the lid. Details Artist: Tezuka Keiun (手塚景雲) — impressed seal inside the foot ring and signed box Type: Chawan (tea bowl), tea ceremony ware Theme: Imperial chokudai "Bridge" (Hashi) Decoration: Gold and polychrome overglaze enamels (iro-e kinsai) Material: Earthenware (Kyō-yaki / Kiyomizu-yaki) Origin: Kyoto, Japan Included: Signed tomobako (wooden box) Shipping This lot will be carefully packed and shipped from Japan with tracking, via Japan Post, DHL or FedEx depending on the item. Delivery usually takes 1–3 weeks. Import duties, taxes and customs charges are not included in the item price or shipping cost and are the buyer's responsibility. The carrier or customs office in your country may contact you by phone or email for customs clearance. Please keep your contact details up to date, as an unanswered request may cause the parcel to be returned to Japan and require additional shipping costs to resend. Thank you for your understanding!