Height: 8.2 cm, Mouth Diameter: 11.1 cm, Foot Diameter: 5.5 cm
Chikusui Art Museum
The underside of the inner box lid bears the inscription: “Kōetsu-style black tea bowl by Yabee (signature).” At first glance, the style resembles that of Ichinyu’s tea bowls; however, since the artist, Yabee, describes it as “Kōetsu-style,” it is reasonable to assume that such a Kōetsu tea bowl existed. In my limited knowledge of Kōetsu’s work, the black tea bowl titled “Higashi” shares a very similar style.
It is semi-cylindrical in shape, with the rim curving slightly inward. The somewhat tall foot is round and modest, featuring a tea pool in the interior, and three burn marks remain on the foot. It feels somewhat heavy in the hand, and the bottom appears to be thickly constructed. However, the design of the foot is completely different from the Koetsu tea bowls commonly seen today; rather, it can be said to be closer in style to Ichinyu’s work. A jet-black glaze covers the entire surface, with traces of red glaze appearing on part of the body and the interior.
