Height: 7.1cm
Diameter: 13.2-14.0cm
Outer diameter of foot ring: 5.5cm
Height of foot ring: 0.8cm
This is a piece that was known throughout the world as the masterpiece of the Hotei ware owned by Matsudaira Fumai, and the name “Jorogaba” was given by Fumai after the color of the glaze. On the underside of the lid, there is a haiku written in Fumai’s handwriting: “Jorogaba, this morning, even the appearance is more beautiful than usual, with dew forming on the vines”, but it does not appear in “Kokka Taikan” or other works, so it may not be an old poem. Alternatively, it could be a poem by Fumai.
Looking at the style of the work, it is thought that Kiiro Irobo was made in the same kiln and period as other Irobo, and the highlights and promises are mostly similar. The rim of the mouth is usually turned up, but this is not always the case. However, the best pieces tend to be the ones with the rim turned up. The rim of the bowl is turned up, and it is said that the rim is turned up with four sand-like lines in the tea-drip well. The yellow-irabo glaze is thinly applied, and this is considered to be a good feature. There are fine lines on the body, and there are also stone-like patterns. The foot is knotted like a bamboo joint, and there is also a turned-up rim on the outside of the foot.
As you would expect from a tea bowl inscribed by Fumai, this bowl is truly full of the essence of tea, with a perfect shape, rim, and texture, and it also has a certain elegance that makes it a truly great bowl. There are three bevels on the rim, which add to the charm of the bowl, and the rim is slightly distorted, which is a wonderful effect that is achieved without any effort. The inner rim of the tea bowl is made from a single large stone, and the addition of four sand-like lines creates a perfect scene. The glaze is uneven in shade, and the faded areas around the rim and at the base are translucent, giving the piece a subdued appearance. The foot ring is made of clay and looks like a bamboo joint, and there is a cut-out on the outside of the rim, while the inside is rounded off and the inside of the bowl is shaped like a helmet.
The overall appearance is elegant and refined, and it has a gentleness that is very appropriate for the name of the flower, but this tea bowl is also one of the best examples of Fumai’s calligraphy on the box. Accessories:
Inner box: paulownia wood with plain lid, with the inscription “Jorogaba” by Matsudaira Fumai
Same as above, with the inscription on the reverse side of the lid “Jorogaba This morning, even the appearance is more beautiful than usual, with dewdrops forming a garland” by Matsudaira Fumai
Outer box: black lacquered lid, with the inscription in gold powder “Jorogaba tea bowl Irapo”
Same, red lacquer on the underside of the lid, “Fumai-o’s favorite”
