Height: 8.7 cm, Mouth Diameter: 9.0 cm, Foot Diameter: 4.7 cm
Raku Museum
This cylindrical tea bowl appears to be modeled after the style of Kōetsu. It rises in straight lines overall, with the rim slightly curved inward. The flat bottom, which creates a strong undulation, is fitted with a wide, stepped footring. The interior of the footring is carved into a perfect circle, and fine incised lines run around the footring. As is typical of Sanyu’s work, shallow comb marks are applied to the surface from the side of the footring down to the waist. Vertical ridges are also carved around the exterior, while a step is formed midway along the interior, and a deep, decorative tea pool is sharply carved into the interior surface. The glaze applied over the entire surface is thin and translucent, allowing the ochre applied beneath it to shine through vividly. A mark is stamped inside the foot ring, and the inscription “Red Tea Bowl, Raku Sairyu” on the lid suggests that this piece was created after the artist took monastic vows.
