Famous item
Accessories: Inner box made of white paulownia wood with inscription by Toda Roin; outer box with inscription by Toda Shikan (Roin)
Provenance: Toda Roin – Kaga Murahiko family
Dimensions
Height: 6.3–6.7 cm, Mouth diameter: 13.0–13.7 cm, Foot diameter: 4.6 cm, Same height: 1.0 cm, Weight: 260 g
This tea bowl was once cherished by Toda Ryūin of Tanimatsuya in Osaka and later became part of the collection of the Murahiko family in Kaga. It is one of the renowned Aoi-ido tea bowls, rivaling those of Masuya and Takaya. However, the previous head of the Murahiko family refused to display it outside of tea ceremonies, so it was not included in the “Taisho Meiki Kan” (Taisho Era Masterpieces of Tea Utensils).
The bowl has a strongly curved shape with a single fold at the waist, and the body is thick and robust. Although narrow in width, the carving around the foot is sharp, and the bamboo-jointed foot is boldly crafted. It is a bold and dynamic tea bowl with many variations.
The glaze is typical of Aoi-ido, with hints of red, gradually darkening from the waist and forming a “kairugi” pattern around the foot. However, here it is more appropriate to describe it as a gathering of glaze droplets rather than the typical “kira-gi.” Especially around the bamboo joint on the front, the accumulated glaze shimmers like dewdrops on a lotus leaf, revealing a pearl-like luster. Near the bottom of the interior, the wheel marks are distinctly visible, forming a swirling tea pool.
Outer box: Inscription by Toda-style Gen’an
