Accessories: Inner box, paulownia wood, white lacquer, inscription by Kobori Gonshiro; same inscription on the underside of the lid; outer box, paulownia wood, white lacquer, label by Shimamaru Mitsuhiro
Provenance: Kuroda family
Dimensions
Height: 6.6 cm Mouth diameter: 12.613.0 cm Body diameter: 13.7 cm Foot diameter: 5.4 cm Same height: 0.6 cm Weight: 380 g
The distinctive feature of this tea bowl is the go-seki-zoko (go stone tray base). The container for go stones is called a go-seki, and since this resembles it, the high foot is called go-seki-zoko.
This is a tea bowl made entirely by a craftsman. It can be said to be a typical example of the Enshu style.Enshu favored highly technical pieces, and this tea bowl is no exception, with its deliberate craftsmanship clearly visible.
The body features distinct wheel marks, which are also vividly visible in a swirling pattern on the go-seki-zoko.
The glaze is a mixture of yellow and blue, giving it a clean appearance.
The inscription “Yama no Hata” (Mountain’s Edge) is likely a reference to the “fire gap” visible in the center of the tea bowl, interpreted as a moon, as suggested by the poem on the underside of the lid. However, the playful artistry seems a bit too evident—what do you think?
