Japanese Ofuke Ware Chawan with Tokugawa Aoi Crest, Early to Mid-Edo Period #5424

width: approx. 12cm (4 23⁄32in)
height: approx. 6.5cm (2 9⁄16in)
weight: 198 (w/ box 434g)

This tea bowl is believed to be an Ofuke ware piece, produced at the official kiln of the Owari Tokugawa family during the early to mid-Edo period. It features a calm, refined appearance with a soft, ivory-toned glaze and fine crackle patterns throughout. The body is adorned with an incised design of the hollyhock crest, the emblem of the Tokugawa shogunate, imparting an air of noble elegance despite its simplicity. The slightly irregular rim and natural variations from firing convey the warmth and individuality of handcraftsmanship. Subtle tea stains within the interior reflect long and cherished use in the tea ceremony over generations. Accompanied by its original wooden box and brocade pouch, this chawan embodies the enduring aesthetic sensibility of traditional Japanese chanoyu.