上田常次磨砂条纹茶碗 – 木曽山窑窑炉，渡边徹认证盒 - 瓷 - Ueda Tsuneji - 日本 - Shōwa period (1926-1989)

– Mashiko tradition potter using sophisticated nerikomi (marbled clay) technique – Tea bowl with distinctive vertical stripes created by layering coloured clays – Certified by renowned tea master Watanabe Toru

Summary: This is a tea bowl (chawan) by Ueda Tsunetsugu of Kinosarayama Kiln in Mashiko, featuring the sophisticated nerikomi technique where different coloured clays are layered and cut to create striking striped patterns. The piece bears a certificate box inscribed by Watanabe Toru, adding scholarly validation to its quality. Ueda's work represents contemporary Mashiko pottery at its most refined, combining technical mastery with aesthetic restraint. The bold graphic pattern and excellent craftsmanship make this an appealing piece for collectors of Japanese studio ceramics and tea ceremony wares.

Certain ceramic techniques demand so much skill and patience that they instantly command respect. Nerikomi – the Japanese art of marbling different coloured clays into decorative patterns – is one of them. Done poorly, it looks gimmicky. Done well, as Ueda Tsunetsugu demonstrates here, it becomes a form of quiet virtuosity.

Ueda Tsunetsugu works at Kinosarayama Kiln in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, one of Japan's most celebrated pottery centres. Mashiko gained fame in the twentieth century through the folk craft (mingei) movement led by philosopher Yanagi Sōetsu and potter Hamada Shōji, who established the town as a centre for honest, functional pottery. Today, Mashiko continues to attract skilled potters who balance folk-craft traditions with contemporary studio ceramics. Ueda represents this lineage, creating work that honours functional forms whilst employing sophisticated techniques like nerikomi.

The nerikomi technique visible in this tea bowl involves preparing different coloured clays, stacking them in precise layers, then slicing through to reveal the pattern. The cut surface becomes the exterior of the vessel, showing vertical stripes that run from foot to rim. It's a demanding process that requires the different clay bodies to have compatible shrinkage rates, precise control during forming, and careful firing to prevent the colours from bleeding together. When executed successfully, the result is decoration that exists throughout the clay body rather than merely on the surface – permanent, integral, and impossible to replicate by any other method.

This particular tea bowl shows vertical stripes in subtle earth tones – likely variations of ochre, cream, grey, and brown created by adding different metal oxides to the base clay. The pattern reads as both bold and restrained, graphic without being garish. The form itself is classic chawan proportions – wide enough for the tea to cool slightly, with a foot ring that fits comfortably in the palm. The overall aesthetic suggests quiet refinement rather than showiness.

The piece comes with a certificate box inscribed by Watanabe Toru, a respected figure in Japanese tea ceremony circles. This authentication adds scholarly validation, confirming the piece's quality and suitability for tea ceremony use. In Japanese ceramic collecting, such documentation significantly enhances value and provenance.

For European collectors, Japanese tea bowls offer aesthetic appeal beyond their original ceremonial function. The generous form works beautifully as a serving vessel for rice, soup, or even as a striking container for flowers or objects. The nerikomi pattern ensures it becomes a focal point wherever displayed. In contemporary interiors, the earthy palette and strong graphic quality provide visual interest without overwhelming.

Overall in excellent condition with no visible chips, cracks, or repairs. The nerikomi surface is smooth and even, with clear definition between the coloured stripes. Minor variations in clay colour and subtle kiln marks may be present, which are characteristic of studio pottery and do not affect the piece's aesthetic or functional qualities.

Contemporary Mashiko pottery occupies an important position in Japanese studio ceramics, balancing folk-craft traditions with refined technique. Potters like Ueda Tsunetsugu who master demanding methods like nerikomi are particularly valued by collectors who appreciate technical virtuosity combined with aesthetic restraint. The authentication by Watanabe Toru adds further credibility to this piece's quality.

If sophisticated Japanese ceramics technique and tea ceremony traditions appeal to you, this tea bowl offers an excellent example of contemporary Mashiko craft. It brings both visual interest and cultural depth to any collection.

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