Otagaki Rengetsu (1791-1875) Antique Japanese carved pottery tea bowl #5441

width: approx. 13–13.5cm (5.12–5.31in)
height: approx. 7cm (2.76in)
weight: 307g

poem: 

In this world of people— high, middle and low meet at the river shallows where all sincere hearts may be purified.

Hito no yo mo kami naka shimo to kawa no se ni kokoro gokoro no misogi su rashi mo.

This Japanese tea bowl is attributed to Otagaki Rengetsu, a prominent late Edo period nun, poet, and ceramic artist. The bowl features a soft ash-toned glaze with incised calligraphy, expressing Rengetsu’s unique integration of poetry and ceramic form. The natural clay texture and gentle surface variations create a quiet yet powerful visual presence. The handwritten characters across the surface emphasize the artistic philosophy behind the work, making it appealing not only as pottery but also as an object of visual appreciation. This piece is well suited for collectors of Japanese antique pottery, calligraphy ceramics, and late Edo period art. Keywords: Japanese tea bowl, Otagaki Rengetsu, Japanese pottery, calligraphy ceramics, antique Japanese art, Edo period ceramics.