Shino, inscribed “Mouko”

Accessories: Box, paulownia wood, inscription by Yabuuchi Chikū, same inscription on the underside of the lid
Provenance: Nomura Tokuan
Dimensions
Height: 8.5 cm, mouth diameter: 11.9–13.7 cm, foot diameter: 6.1–6.7 cm, same height: 0.5 cm, weight: 545 g

This tea bowl is of the same style as “Asahi Kage” and “Hagoromo.”
Incidentally, according to the author’s observation, this series of Shino tea bowls appears to have been fired at the Mino Otaira Kiln (Toki City, Gifu Prefecture). During excavation surveys of the kiln, I recall discovering numerous pottery shards of the same type as this “Mouko.”
The base clay is the same coarse, coarse-grained clay used in the “Asahi Kage” and “Hagoromo,” but it is slightly thicker in construction. However, this does not detract from the piece in any way; on the contrary, it gives it a warm, robust feel.
The same can be said for “Asahikage” and “Hagoromo.”
While “Asahikage” and ‘Hagoromo’ are made of white clay, this “Mōtora” is created by mixing white clay with iron-rich clay to form tiger-striped patterns. The name derives from this.
The mountain and water scenes are painted with iron pigment, but this seems unnecessary given the beauty of the piece.