A wide, luminous celadon tea bowl by Uno Sokan — designated holder of an Intangible Cultural Property. The glaze lies across the interior like still water: pale blue-grey moving toward deeper tones at the base, with faint brushstroke traces beneath the surface. The open form invites the eye to rest. This piece carries institutional weight, held lightly.
◾ Artist: Uno Sokan (宇野宗甕), designated Intangible Cultural Heritage master, Kyoto ◾ Dimensions: approx. 6cm height × 14.8cm width ◾ Glaze: Celadon (seiji) — pale blue-grey, brushmark traces under glaze ◾ Style: Flat open form (hirachawan) — ideal for summer tea ceremony ◾ Condition: No chips or cracks ◾ Provenance: Signed artist's wood box (共箱) and cloth (仕覆) included
◽ Cultural Insight Uno Sokan (1888–1973) was one of the defining figures of modern Kyoto ceramics. A student of Itaya Hazan and a master of Qing Dynasty-influenced celadon, he was designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property — the highest recognition the Japanese government can confer upon a living artist. His celadon work is characterized by subtle color gradation and an almost meditative surface quality: the glaze does not perform, it settles.
◽ Deep Dive The釣窯 (tsuri-gama) refers to a suspended kiln technique associated with Sokan's distinctive firing method, allowing precise atmosphere control for celadon. In this bowl, the pale blue-grey exterior transitions into a cooler, more luminous interior — evidence of atmospheric reduction firing. The hirachawan form (flat, wide-mouthed bowl) is associated with summer tea gatherings (natsu no chaji), where a shallower vessel draws heat away more readily. The dark iron rim line is a hallmark of authentic celadon work.
🔹 [ SHIPPING & PACKAGING ] • Dispatch: Within 1-6 business days • Carrier: Japan Post EMS / UPS (with tracking) • Packaging: Carefully wrapped with protective materials
