Height: 6.3 cm, Mouth Diameter: 13.0 cm, Foot Diameter: 5.5 cm
Tekisui Art Museum
On the underside of the lid of this tea bowl’s inner box is inscribed “Black Tea Bowl, Nonko-shaped, Nindosai (seal mark),” clearly indicating that it is the work of Nindosai and closely reflects Dōnyū’s style. Had this box not accompanied the bowl, many people would likely have attributed it to Dōnyū. In that sense, it appears that a significant number of works attributed to Dōnyū in the world are actually Tekisui-yaki pieces. The inward-curving rim, the rounded waist, and the style of the footring—which is clearly and distinctly flat—all faithfully reflect Dōnyū’s characteristic style.
The bowl is covered in black glaze overall, though the glaze is thin around the footring, revealing patches of white clay. The placement of five indentations on the footring is also likely a clear imitation of Dōnyū’s work.
