Ihara Kōtarō — Sabi-yu rust glaze tea bowl. A stoneware chawan by the late Ihara Kōtarō (伊原光太郎), described in Japanese ceramic circles as 「鬼才」(kisai — prodigious talent). This handmade Japanese tea bowl carries a deep iron oxide glaze fired to a matte chocolate-brown surface, dense with earth memory. The cylindrical form holds generous proportions — D12.2cm × H9.3cm, 357g — substantial in the hand, grounded by thick-walled construction. A vintage ceramic piece from the Showa-Heisei era.
The sabi-yu (rust glaze) envelops the vessel in quiet darkness. Iron-oxide particles settle into the clay body during firing, producing a surface that absorbs light rather than reflecting it. The unglazed sandy foot ring anchors the form, revealing the raw stoneware beneath. Glaze drips partially obscure the artist's seal at the base — evidence of the kiln's own authorship alongside the potter's hand.
Ihara Kōtarō worked with an intensity that earned him the designation 「鬼才」— a term reserved for those whose creative force borders on the otherworldly. His rust-glazed works carry that density of intention: nothing decorative, nothing unnecessary.
■ Provenance & Condition Accompanied by an awase-bako (matching box). Note: the box bears an inscription reading 「昭楽 作」 with a 「昭楽」 seal, attributing it to a different maker (Shoraku). This is not the artist's original tomobako. The bowl itself is by Ihara Kōtarō, confirmed by the seal on the base. Condition is good with no chips, cracks, or repairs.
■ Dimensions Diameter: 12.2 cm Height: 9.3 cm Weight: 357 g
■ Artist: Ihara Kōtarō (伊原光太郎) ■ Origin: Japan ■ Material: Stoneware with iron-oxide rust glaze (sabi-yu) ■ Era: Showa–Heisei period
🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ] • Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days • Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking) • Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials
