Vuntage KURO-RAKU pottery teabowl by Kikko Jusoken #5071

width: approx. 13.5cm (5 5⁄16in)

height: approx. 6.8cm (2 11⁄16in)

weight: 372g (w/ box 609g)

note: Based on the condition of the item, it is likely that this tea bowl was fired within the last 100 years. Kikko pottery is currently under the leadership of its 8th generation head. The box is labeled "Kikko pottery tea bowl titled 'High Tide'."

In the land of Jūso Village (currently: Yodogawa Ward, Osaka City, Osaka Prefecture), a great potter, the first Kikko Jusōken (Kikko Jihei), opened his kiln and gained nationwide fame. He was born as the eldest son of "Toda Genbee," a samurai, in Kamiana Village, Ōzu, Iyo Province (currently: Ōzu City, Ehime Prefecture).

Before independently opening his kiln, Jihei learned various pottery techniques at kilns in Kyoto. He studied under renowned Kyoto craftsmen such as the first Takahashi Dōhachi and the first Shimizu Rokubee. After receiving guidance from these era-defining potters, he established his kiln in Jūso Village, Osaka, because it was "easy to be noticed by people."

The turning point for Jihei came when he was 33 years old (in 1817). Upon the request of Mizuno Tadakuni, who later became the castellan of Osaka Castle, he presented a "jikiro" (food storage container) with cranes and turtles and a goldfish bowl to the 11th Shogun Tokugawa Ienari. Ienari was greatly pleased with Jihei's works.

As a result, Mizuno Tadakuni awarded Jihei the kiln name "Kikko" along with gold and silver seals. In 1819, at the age of 37, he adopted the Kikko surname.

Recognized for his achievements, Jihei was granted the "Jusōken mark" at Yamato Koizumi Castle in Seshimo District, Yamato Province (currently: Yamato Kōriyama City, Nara Prefecture). In 1827, he began using the name Kikko Jusōken.