Accessories
Inner box: Paulownia wood, with inscription; lid with inscription; brushwork by Toda Ryukin.
Provenance
Kyoto tea utensil dealer Takaya Sōiku—Shuza Oimoto.
Record
Nozaki Gen’an, “Tea Ceremony Miscellany,” “Taisho Masterpieces of Tea Utensils.”
Dimensions
Height: 6.2–6.7 cm, Mouth diameter: 14.0–14.4 cm, Foot diameter: 5.2 cm, Same height: 0.8 cm, Weight: 295 g
This piece bears the inscription of Kyoto’s famous tea utensil merchant Takaya Sōiku. After passing into the possession of Shuza Oimoto, it was named “Naniro” after the phrase “Aro no yu” from the Analects of Confucius. Though seemingly crude at first glance, it is praised for its outstanding craftsmanship.
Aoi-ido is generally small in size, so the wheel marks are particularly noteworthy. Even at Takaya, the wheel marks are strong, making this a standout piece. The bamboo-jointed foot rim is beautifully crafted both inside and out, and the side handles are sharp. The glaze, reminiscent of the green moss characteristic of Aoi-ido, is dotted with white glaze pools that add to the scenery. There are five eyes on the rim and five five-pointed stars on the base. This piece, which abundantly embodies the bold rustic charm while fully enjoying the simplicity, was rightly praised as one of the three masterpieces of Aoi-ido alongside Kasugano and Seo in Tokyo in the past.
