A “Koyo” Tenmoku Tea Bowl with Silk Pouch by Touetsu Kiln


Artist:Touetsu KilnEra:ContemporaryPrice:$1,350Inquire:info@shirakuragallery.com

Before styles such as Raku, Hagi, Karatsu, etc came into fashion for use in the tearoom in early Edo, it was commonplace in cultured society to use tea-ware imported from China. One of the most common implements that first made its way to Japanese shores was the tenmoku style tea bowl that has been adopted and carried on through countless generations of Japanese artisans. Here we have an excellent example of this style of tea bowl—in perfect condition and featuring a custom fit silk pouch. This elegant tenmoku piece is known as a koyo chawan in Japanese for its inclusion of a fall leaf on the inside surface of the bowl (“koyo” meaning fall leaves and “chawan” meaning tea bowl). While the artist is not indicated, the inside of the lid is inscribed by Matsuyama Zuiun, a monk from Myoshin-ji Temple in Kyoto who gave this piece the poetic name “Kiwa,” or “Golden Peace.”

In perfect condition, this tea bowl is 4.7 inches in width (12 cm), and stands 2.75 inches tall (7 cm). It comes housed in its original wood box and has the kiln seal impressed into the clay on the base. As mentioned above, this piece has been recognized as an exceptional work by a monk of Myoshin-ji temple and has the rare distinction of having a poetic name. The custom fit silk pouch compliments this tea bowl perfectly and the use of an impression of a fall leaf on the inside of the tea bowl is the perfect accent.