Height: 8.4 cm; Mouth diameter: 12.3–12.5 cm; Foot diameter: 5.2 cm
On the underside of the inner box lid, Jushinsai has inscribed: “Nonkaku Black Tea Bowl, Shishi-boku-gei, Left (Seal).” It is understood that this name was derived from the Noh play “Ishibashi” (Stone Bridge), as the white glaze pattern on the body is interpreted as resembling a bridge.
Although its form resembles that of “Chidori,” the rim is drawn inward. The piece is thin overall, with the rim being particularly thin and skillfully crafted, featuring variations in height along the rim. As is typical, the interior is wide and generous, while the footring is flat, sharply defined, and the indentation at the base of the footring is deep. A vivid “Raku” mark is stamped in the center of the foot, and while the foot and its surroundings are not covered in black glaze, they are coated with a thin, transparent glaze; three irregular marks remain on the foot’s base.
A jet-black glaze completely covers both the interior and exterior, but the glaze has flowed down to the lower edge on one side, revealing a faint white streak where the glaze breaks. This streak is caused by impurities drifting within the black glaze. Traces of the kiln shelf remain on the lower rim. While the form is gentle, this tea bowl displays techniques characteristic of Dōin throughout. One of the “Seven Varieties of Nonkō.”
