Provenance: Kyoto Higuchi family—Bunka period (1804–1817), Matsudaira Fumai
Recorded in: Oosaki Imperial Treasure Vessel Register, Fushimiya Memo, Taisho Masterpiece Vessel Guide
Dimensions
Height: 8.8 cm Mouth diameter: 12.0–12.6 cm Body diameter: 12.6 cm Foot diameter: 5.7–5.9 cm Foot height: 0.7 cm Weight: 510 g
This tea bowl is also a typical example of Shino tea bowls.
The base clay is Hyakuso clay, but when the red slip was applied, the bottom was pressed upward to create three bulges on the inside, which is a distinctive feature.
The strong lines left by the bamboo paddle marks on the waist are interpreted as mountain paths, the reddish hue of the iron glaze as hagi (Japanese bush clover), and the distant mountains as “Asahagi,” giving rise to the name of this tea bowl.
I have had the opportunity to handle this tea bowl on numerous occasions, and it is a flawlessly crafted piece. The foot of this tea bowl is a detached foot, attached in a casual manner. This is, of course, true of all Shino tea bowls, but it was specifically designed with matcha in mind.
With a diameter of 12.6 centimeters and a height of 8.8 centimeters, it should be a rather imposing tea bowl, yet it does not feel overly large, likely because every detail is perfectly executed.
