Iwase Kenichi 岩瀬健一 (*1946)
Shigaraki Tea Bowl
| Inv. Nr. | #23.026 |
| Date | Heisei period, 21. Century |
| Material | Ash glazed stoneware |
| Dimensions | H 9,0 x W 12,5 x D 10,5 cm |
Comes with fitted signed and sealed wooden box and sealed wrapping cloth (tomogire).
Price: EUR 2,500
A rare, stunning Shigaraki tea bowl by Iwase Kenichi. Born in Tokyo in 1946, Kenichi studied ceramics with Matsui Kōsei (1927-2003) as well as with Tsuji Seimei (1927-2008) and Tsuji Kyō (1930-2008). He established his own kiln in Hachioji in 1972 and became a full member of the prestigious Nihon Kōgei-kai in 2006. His works have been selected several times for the Japan Traditional Kōgei Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramics for the Tea Ceremony, and many others. Numerous solo exhibitions complete his portfolio.
Recently, he has been working mainly with porcelain clay and white slips, and this Shigaraki tea bowl is unusual not only because of the choice of material and style. The tea bowl shows a green melted ash glaze running horizontally from left to right, while traces of sea shells used as firing supports are visible to the right of the three impressive emerald green glaze drops. These characteristics indicate that the tea bowl was fired lying on its side (korogashi). The risky firing method, used only for a limited number of objects, can produce the most spectacular and unpredictable results. These objects are therefore highly prized by specialists.