Akagama
Accessories
Inner box: Paulownia, white wood, inscription by Gen’en-sai Sōshitsu
Same lid, inscription by Kawai Hisayoshi
Outer box: Black lacquer, sticker
Provenance
Hon’ami Kouetsu—Bishamon-do temple in Yamashina—Takano Jikan—Kawai Hisayoshi—Gen’en-sai Sōshitsu—Kōnoike family
Reference
Honcho Toki Koshō, Chakai Manroku, Kuro Kōetsu Chawan with accompanying note, Fushimiya Chūjirō memorandum, Enshū Meibutsu Ki, Katsu Kaishū Hon Meibutsu Kō, Fushimiya Sōri Meibutsu Chawan Zui, Kushinroku, Kansō Zatsuki, Kusama Waraku, Chaki Meibutsu Zui, Taisho Meiki Kan.
Dimensions
Height: 9.7–9.9 cm, Mouth diameter: 11.5–12.0 cm, Foot diameter: 5.2–5.6 cm, Foot height: 0.5 cm, Weight: 440 g
This inscription is based on a bowl that Kōetsu presented to the Bishamon-dō Temple in Yamashina, and it is considered one of Kōetsu’s finest works.
This is a round-shaped type created by Kōetsu, with a slightly flared mouth and rounded edges. The curved surface of the body is full and gentle, yet Kōetsu’s signature boldness is evident in the sharp edges of the mouth, the shaving along the foot rim, and the interior of the foot, showcasing the subtlety of his craftsmanship. The foot is also unique, flattened, and has a distinctive texture.The clay is red, with distinctive cracks from firing that add intensity. The glaze, a technique unique to Kōetsu, covers the entire piece, creating a white, mottled pattern that floats across the surface, with variations in firing adding further depth to the glaze texture. The rim is wide and open, showcasing Kōetsu’s signature style. This piece, with its casual, free-spirited style, is a prime example of Kōetsu’s rich individuality.
