Vintage KURORAKU tea bowl by Ono Kugyo #5279 for sale

Up for sale is this "Vintage KURORAKU tea bowl by Ono Kugyo #5279" If you have any questions please contact us before buy it. No reserve.

width: approx. 11cm (4 21⁄64in)
height: approx. 8cm (3 5⁄32in)
weight: 376g
origin: Japan

Ono Kugyo｜Raku Ware Ceramic Artist

Ono Kugyo was a Kyoto-based Raku ware ceramic artist who was active from the mid-Showa period through the early Heisei era. Known for his tea utensils, he developed a unique style that honored traditional Raku techniques while emphasizing soft forms and deep, nuanced glazes. Although formal biographical details remain limited, it is believed he trained under a master craftsman rather than through academic institutions. He was notably influenced by Naoye Deguchi, an art advisor affiliated with the religious organization Oomoto, and many of his works reflect motifs and themes connected to that spiritual lineage.

Ono specialized in black and red Raku tea bowls, often incorporating seasonal and symbolic designs based on zodiac signs or the annual imperial poetry themes (goyodai). Signature pieces include bowls inspired by themes like “Green,” “Pine,” and “Horse,” where he boldly fused modern calligraphy and traditional forms. He also created thematic sets such as "Twelve Months Tea Bowls," each reflecting a different seasonal aesthetic rooted in the tea ceremony tradition.

His work gained recognition among tea masters across various schools, and he mentored several disciples, including Teruichi Nishimura (later known as Ichiraku), who went on to become a notable potter himself. Today, Ono’s legacy continues through Keizan Ono, who produces Raku ware under the name "Keizan Kiln." Ono Kugyo’s tea bowls, often accompanied by signed wooden boxes and explanatory inserts, remain popular in the antique market and are still cherished by tea practitioners and collectors for their quiet refinement and craftsmanship.

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