Quiet elegance in rust and shadow—a tea bowl whose muted glaze recalls weathered iron, inviting contemplation in the hand. Description: This tea bowl takes the classic tenmoku (conical) form, rising from a compact foot to slightly flared walls before drawing inward at the rim. The entire exterior is covered with a distinctive "Sabi Yōsai" (rust-colored) glaze—a subdued, low-luster surface in deep brown tones punctuated by irregular vertical streaking in blue-gray. The glaze exhibits a weathered, almost metalite appearance, with fine granular textures and subtle variations in tone that suggest the patina of aged iron. The interior displays the same rust-brown glaze radiating from the rim toward the well, where a deep black pool has formed at the center. Around this dark center, the glaze transitions through lighter brown tones, creating gentle gradation. The underside reveals a generous unglazed area of pale, sandy stoneware, with thick glaze stopping in irregular drips that frame the exposed clay. The foot ring is modest in height with an unglazed rim, and an impressed artist's mark is visible in the clay beside it. The piece is accompanied by a fitted wooden storage box (tomobako) with brush-written title and artist's seal. Cultural & Art Context: The tenmoku tea bowl form, originally developed in Song dynasty China, was adopted and transformed by Japanese potters for use in the tea ceremony. The "Sabi Yōsai" glaze represents a modern interpretation that captures the aesthetic of sabi—the beauty found in weathering, aging, and quiet imperfection. Seto ware has been produced in Aichi Prefecture for over a thousand years, earning its place as one of Japan's "Six Ancient Kilns." Collector Appeal: Katō Reikichi represents the twenty-second generation of the Seto-gama kiln, one of Seto's most historically significant ceramic lineages dating to the Keichō period (1596–1615). His work bridges traditional Seto techniques with contemporary exhibition ceramics, having received multiple awards at the Nitten exhibition and the Prime Minister's Award at the Nikkō-kai exhibition. This tea bowl, with its original storage box, offers an opportunity to acquire work from a living master whose family connection to Seto pottery spans over four centuries. Artist Profile: Katō Reikichi (1953– ) was born as the twenty-second generation heir to the Seto-gama kiln in Seto City, Aichi Prefecture. The Seto-gama kiln was established during the Keichō period (1596–1615) by the first ancestor Kagenaga Tōzaemon (later known as Seto Jirō), making it one of Seto-Akatsu's oldest and most distinguished ceramic workshops. He graduated from Tokai High School and Tamagawa University's Faculty of Literature, Department of Arts. After university, he returned to Seto to pursue ceramic arts and established himself as an exhibition artist centered on the Nitten. He has received the Special Selection twice and the Nitten Member Award. At the Nikkō-kai exhibition, he received the Prime Minister's Award and the Nikkō-kai Grand Prize. He was invited three times to the International Ceramic Exhibition in Faenza, Italy. At the Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, he received the Foreign Minister's Award and the Minister of Education Award. He received the Asahi Ceramics '79 Award. He currently serves as a Nitten Special Member, Executive Director of the Nikkō-kai, Chairman of the Hakō-kai, Guest Professor at Nagoya Zōkei University and Tōkai Gakuen University, Chairman of the Seto Ceramics Association, and member of the Seto City Cultural Property Protection Committee. He received the Tokai Television Cultural Award in 2019 and was invited to the Agency for Cultural Affairs' "Kōgei 2020" exhibition. 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.