Japanese Rengetsu Ware Tea Bowl with Inscribed Waka Poem by Otagaki Rengetsu #5596

In the quiet shadows of a shifting era between the late Edo and early Meiji periods, a solitary woman gently ground her ink and kneaded her clay. Her name was Otagaki Rengetsu. Having endured a lifetime of tragedy before taking her vows as a nun, she began crafting ceramics almost as a quiet pastime. Yet her delicate wares, exquisitely inscribed with flowing waka poetry, soon captured the hearts of Kyoto and became known as Rengetsu ware.

Before us rests a single tea bowl, quietly preserving the subtle grace and poetic aesthetic of Rengetsu’s world.

Lifted into the hands, it offers a tender, unpretentious warmth. Around the foot, the raw, unglazed clay peeks through, contrasting gently with the soft white glaze that envelops the rest of the bowl. This quiet harmony between coarse earth and tender glaze paints an understated landscape of wabi-sabi—a beauty found in simplicity and natural imperfection.

Yet what truly captures the spirit is the flowing landscape carved into the clay itself.

Engraved across the soft glaze with a light, effortless touch, a single waka poem dances like grass swaying in a gentle breeze. Having endured the fierce heat of the kiln, these calligraphic strokes remain vibrant and alive, breathing soul and poetry directly into the vessel. It is as if a quiet beam of light has been shed across the silence of the earth.

As soft steam rises in the dim light of the tearoom, green tea is whipped into a gentle foam. Through the thin veil of mist, the flowing calligraphic script subtly comes into focus. Held reverently in the guest's hands, this single bowl bridges the gap between past literature and present devotion, weaving an unforgettable depth into a once-in-a-lifetime tea gathering.

width: approx. 12.5cm (4.92in)

height: approx. 6.5cm (2.56in)

weight: 237g

condition: There are age-related glaze cracks, but overall in good condition and suitable for use.

Accessories: None

Shipping: Shipped from Japan with a tracking number. We take great care in professional packaging to ensure the item arrives safely.