Experience Authentic Japan Art with this Narutaki-gama Matcha Bowl. This Japanese Tea Ceremony piece serves as a Jogaku Studio Ware and Yatsuhashi Motif Chawan, featuring Enameled Tea Cup and Iris Bridge Art—a must-have for any Art Collector.
🔹 [ Basic Details ] - Artist: Jogaku (城岳) - Kiln: Narutaki-gama (鳴滝窯) - Technique: Kyō-yaki (京焼), color enamels with Yatsuhashi (Iris & Bridge) design - Era: 1990s (Heisei Era) - Origin: Kyoto, Japan - Dimensions: Height approx. 8.0 cm, Diameter approx. 12.2 cm - Box: Original wooden box (Tomobako) with documents (Shiori) - Condition: Pristine vintage condition
🔹 [ Cultural & Artistic Insight ] Historical Context: The "Yatsuhashi" motif, depicting irises and a zig-zag bridge, is a classic scene from the 10th-century "Tales of Ise." It is a quintessential theme in Japanese art, popularized by Ogata Korin of the Rinpa school. Technique & Aesthetic: The irises are painted with rich purple and green enamels, while the bridge is rendered in earthy tones. The composition flows around the bowl, inviting the user to rotate and explore the landscape. Philosophical Reflection: A journey across the ancient bridge, where every petal holds the fragrance of a summer memory.
🔹 [ Deep-Dive Commentary ] Narutaki-gama under Master Jogaku is esteemed for its ability to bring classical literary themes to life on ceramic surfaces. This bowl is crafted with a slightly textured clay that adds depth to the enamels. The interior shows "Me-ato" (kiln marks or firing points) that are intentionally left to demonstrate the authentic firing process. The Yatsuhashi theme makes this bowl particularly suitable for tea ceremonies in early summer (May to June) or for admirers of Rinpa-style aesthetics.
