A serene tea bowl cloaked in deep blue-green glaze, its interior alive with a sunburst pattern of crystalline silver and teal—evoking the mysterious depths of a mountain lake. Description: This chawan (tea bowl) is an example of Ryōzō Taniguchi's signature "hekirō" (碧瓏) glaze, a distinctive blue-green coloration developed by the artist. The bowl features a wide, open form with gently curving walls that flare outward from a small foot ring to a subtly undulating rim. The exterior is covered in a rich, matte blue-green glaze with fine speckled texture. The color shifts subtly from deeper teal-blue tones on the lower body to a slightly lighter greenish hue near the rim, with tiny golden flecks visible throughout. The glaze thins naturally where it meets the unglazed foot ring, creating a warm orange-brown transition zone that reveals the pale buff-colored stoneware body beneath. The interior presents a striking visual effect: a radiating crystalline pattern emanates from the center of the bowl, creating a starburst of silvery-white and pale green crystalline formations against the deep blue-green ground. This effect, created through controlled crystallization during cooling, gives the impression of light breaking through water or frost spreading across glass. The foot ring is cleanly trimmed and left unglazed, revealing the fine-grained, pale buff stoneware body. An impressed seal mark reading "良" (Ryō) is visible on the base, along with a small kiln spur. The work is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) inscribed "碧瓏 / 茶盌" (Hekirō / Chawan) with the artist's signature "良三" (Ryōzō) and red seal. A handwritten label on the box side reads "碧瓏茶碗 谷口良三" (Hekirō Chawan, Taniguchi Ryōzō). Also included is a mustard-yellow cloth wrapper with impressed seal and a printed biographical leaflet detailing the artist's ceramic history (陶歴). Cultural & Art Context: Kyoto ware (Kyo-yaki) and its subset Kiyomizu-yaki represent one of Japan's most refined ceramic traditions, known for technical excellence and innovative glazework. Taniguchi's "hekirō" glaze draws on this heritage while creating a distinctively modern aesthetic. The crystalline interior effect demonstrates advanced kiln control and glaze chemistry, achieving patterns that emerge naturally during the firing process. Such technical mastery combined with artistic vision exemplifies the continuing evolution of Kyoto ceramics in the twentieth century. Collector Appeal: Tea bowls by award-winning Kyoto ceramicists with documented exhibition histories at major venues such as Nitten represent the pinnacle of modern Japanese ceramic art. Taniguchi's distinctive hekirō glaze offers collectors a recognizable artistic signature. Complete with tomobako, cloth wrapper, and artist documentation, this bowl is suitable for both active use in tea ceremony and display as a ceramic art object. Artist Profile: Ryōzō Taniguchi (谷口良三) is a Kyoto-based ceramic artist specializing in Kiyomizu-yaki. According to the accompanying biographical leaflet: Showa 26 (1951): First selected for Nitten (Japan Fine Arts Exhibition) Showa 31 (1956): First prize at the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition (現代日本陶芸展第一席) Showa 35 (1960): Kōfūkai Craft Award (光風会工芸賞) Showa 36 (1961): Nitten Special Selection Hokuto Award (日展特選北斗賞) Showa 36 (1961): Japan Ceramic Society Award (日本陶磁協会賞) Showa 40 (1965): Contemporary Craft Exhibition Craft Award (現代工芸展工芸賞) Showa 41 (1966): Nitten Kikka Award (日展菊華賞) Showa 46 (1971): Nitten Juror (日展審査員) Also served as juror for Contemporary Craft Exhibition (現代工芸展審査委員), Kyoto Prefecture Craft Art Exhibition (京都府工芸美術展), and Kyoto City Art Exhibition (京都市美術展) Based in Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto, with kiln in Yamashina Ward. Shipping / Policy: Carefully packaged and shipped from Japan by Japan Post or DHL with tracking. If you purchase multiple items, combined shipping is available. Please contact us if needed. Import duties, VAT (or equivalent consumption tax), and any other fees are the responsibility of the buyer. Guarantee: Our shop is a licensed antiques dealer in Japan. We guarantee the authenticity of this work.