Height: 8.1 cm, Mouth Diameter: 10.0 cm, Foot Diameter: 4.3 cm
On the underside of the inner box lid, Ryoryosai has inscribed: “Made by Ichinyu, Black Tea Bowl, Kinmo-to, Ryoryosai (seal).” This is also a typical black tea bowl by Ichinyu. In particular, its form has a charm as if it were modeled directly after the Rikyu style, closely resembling the shape of the “O-Kuro.” However, the inward-curving rim is thinner than that of Chojiro and is crafted in a clam-shell style, likely influenced by Doin. The rounded curve from the body to the waist also reveals Ichinyu’s characteristic gentleness. The tea pool at the bottom is shallow to avoid drawing attention, and while the foot is small, it is slightly tall and distinct, with the sides rounded both inside and out. Inside the foot, the “Raku” seal is clearly stamped, and the clay is left exposed in a half-moon shape centered on the foot; it is no exaggeration to call this a classic example of Ichinyu’s “exposed seal” style. The clay is believed to be Juraku clay, though one side is blackened and the other is red. The rim is chamfered at the corners on both the interior and exterior. A well-fused black glaze covers the interior and exterior, but a thin layer of curtain glaze is applied to the outer rim, and traces of red glaze are visible on both the interior and exterior. Two of the rim’s tool marks are faint, while one is indistinct.
