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Up for sale is this "Japanese Kawai Kanjiro Iron-Glazed Tea Bowl, 20C #5297" If you have any questions please contact us before buy it. No reserve.
width: approx. 13.8cm (5 27⁄64in)
height: approx. 5.6cm (2 13⁄64in)
weight: 313g (w/ box 560g)
This iron-glazed tea bowl is an exceptional work by Kawai Kanjiro, one of the most celebrated Japanese potters of the 20th century. The bowl’s dynamic form, combined with a deep, lustrous black glaze overlaid with purplish-red and white crystalline patterns, reveals a masterful interplay of intentional artistry and natural kiln effects. The distinctive glazing is a result of yohen—a spontaneous transformation during high-temperature firing—which produces dramatic, one-of-a-kind patterns resembling a cosmic or organic landscape. The contrast between the flowing, molten-like textures and the dark ground evokes a profound sense of stillness and energy. The unglazed foot retains visible wheel marks, highlighting the handmade nature of the piece and offering a tactile connection to the artist's hand. The bowl is in excellent condition, with no chips, cracks, or glaze losses, and the surface remains brilliantly glossy. The original wooden box (tomobako) bears Kawai’s handwritten inscription “Tetsuyu Saiwan” along with his signature, confirming its authenticity. This tea bowl is not only a functional object for the tea ceremony but also a powerful artistic statement rooted in the spirit of the Mingei (folk craft) movement, infused with Kawai’s unique aesthetic sensibility.