Famous item
Major famous item
Accessories
Inner box: Paulownia wood, white paper lining, inscription by Matsudaira Yukikawa; outer box: ironwood, lacquered panel with makie decoration
Transmitted from Toki Minamoto no Morinaga to the Tanuma family, then to Matsudaira Fumai
References: Collection of Famous Antiques from Ancient and Modern Times, Collection of Famous Tea Bowls, Record of Revived Famous Antiques, Kushinroku by Honya Ryoun, Ancient and Modern Tea Talks, Fushimiya Memoirs, Biography of Matsudaira Fumai, Daien-an Tea Ceremony Record, Fumai’s Famous Tea Ceremony Record, Taishō Masterpiece Guide
Dimensions
Height: 7.7–8.1 cm Mouth diameter: 14.4–15.1 cm Foot diameter: 5.2 cm Foot height: 1.4 cm Weight: 325 g
Owner: Kanagawa Nagano Museum of Art
Although its original provenance is unknown, it was likely from Kaga, hence the name “Kaga Well.” It is also called “Lion,” possibly due to its turbulent glaze pattern.
The bowl has a wavy wheel mark and is slightly open, with a small tea cup, suggesting the strong fingerwork of the potter. The wheel mark is strong throughout, so the shaving on the side of the foot is not very noticeable, but there are thin, narrow grooves. The foot is cut straight and is also difficult to handle. The interior of the foot rim is quite shallow. Five marks remain on the tatami-style base, adding to its charm. Perhaps because the shaving around the foot rim is thin, the glaze is not particularly prominent, but its aroma and the way the glaze surface shines are truly remarkable. Well-shaped tea bowls have a large difference in shrinkage rates between the clay and the glaze. In other words, the glaze does not adhere well to the clay. As a result, many cracks form, and tea stains or other substances tend to seep in. However, in this tea bowl, this phenomenon is particularly severe, giving it a rustic charm reminiscent of a leaky roof.
Inner box: Paulownia wood, white lacquer finish, paper lining, inscription by Matsudaira Yukikawa.
Outer box: Ironwood, paneled lid, lacquered finish with maki-e decoration.
