– Kyoto-made tenmoku chawan displaying rare iridescent lustre effects – Work of Katō Sekishun, carrying forward the ceramic lineage of Seto and Mino traditions – Tea ceremony scale bowl with oil-spot glazing producing peacock-like colour shifts Summary: This tenmoku tea bowl exemplifies the technical ambition driving contemporary Japanese ceramics – the pursuit of those elusive metallic lustres that made Song dynasty Chinese tenmoku legendary. Katō Sekishun of the Hōyūken studio works within the demanding tradition of iron-rich glazes fired in reduction atmospheres, coaxing iridescent effects that shift between bronze, violet, and peacock blue depending on light and viewing angle. For collectors of Japanese tea ceremony ceramics, this represents the modern continuation of techniques perfected centuries ago in Fujian province and subsequently adopted by Japanese potters who recognised their aesthetic kinship with wabi-sabi philosophy. Tenmoku tea bowls occupy a particular position in the Japanese ceramic imagination. Originally imported from China during the Kamakura period (1185–1333), these iron-glazed bowls fascinated tea masters who recognised how their dark, reflective surfaces enhanced the ritual contemplation of matcha. The term itself derives from Tianmu Mountain in Zhejiang, where Japanese monks acquired celebrated examples. What began as Chinese temple ware became central to Japanese tea ceremony aesthetics, inspiring centuries of Japanese potters to master the technique. Katō Sekishun works within this legacy whilst pursuing distinctly modern effects. The Hōyūken studio, based in Kyoto's ceramic district, specialises in glazes that challenge conventional expectations. This bowl demonstrates the oil-spot variant of tenmoku glazing – tiny crystalline formations that catch light like droplets suspended in dark liquid. The iridescent quality, often described as "peacock" or "rainbow" lustre, results from precise manipulation of firing atmosphere and glaze chemistry. Iron oxide in the glaze forms microscopic crystals that refract light, producing colour shifts no painter could replicate with pigment alone. The effect varies dramatically with illumination. Under direct light, bronze and gold predominate; shift the angle and violet-blue emerges from the glaze's depths. This optical complexity made tenmoku bowls prized among Song dynasty literati and later among Japanese tea practitioners who valued objects that revealed new qualities through sustained attention. The bowl becomes a meditation aid, its surface offering visual complexity that rewards slow observation. For contemporary collectors, this bowl bridges historical reverence and modern studio practice. It sits comfortably in the tradition of Seto and Mino tenmoku production – those Japanese kilns that domesticated Chinese techniques during the medieval period – yet demonstrates twenty-first-century understanding of glaze chemistry. Display it where light can perform its transformative work, perhaps near a window where shifting daylight reveals the glaze's full chromatic range. Or use it as tea masters intended, finding in its dark, lustrous interior a focal point for contemplative practice. Katō Sekishun maintains the exacting standards Japanese ceramics demand. Each firing represents calculated risk – the reduction atmosphere required for these lustres can easily turn a bowl into a failure, the glaze misfiring into dull opacity. Success yields pieces like this, where centuries of ceramic wisdom merge with individual artistic vision. The bowl carries forward a lineage extending from Song China through medieval Japan into our present moment, proof that traditional techniques need not remain museum-bound but continue evolving in living studios. Shipping & Handling We ship worldwide via DHL or EMS with full insurance and tracking. Professional packing ensures safe arrival; combined shipping available for multiple wins. Local customs duties are the buyer's responsibility. Seller Guarantee We specialise in authentic Japanese ceramics and guarantee this piece's authenticity. Questions welcome – we reply within 24 hours.