Description
A Japanese tea bowl (chawan) attributed to the artist Jukusen, embodying the rustic elegance and organic beauty. This piece is accompanied by its original signed tomobako (wood storage box), helping to preserve its provenance.
The form is deeply tactile, with carved vertical impressions encircling the body—creating a rhythmic surface that enhances both visual interest and grip during use. These hand-worked marks reflect the direct engagement of the potter with the clay, a hallmark of Japanese tea ceramics rooted in the wabi-sabi aesthetic.
The glaze presents a rich interplay of earthy tones—soft olive, warm beige, and ash-infused browns—subtly shifting across the surface. Natural kiln effects have created areas of tonal variation and gentle transitions, with darker undertones pooling in the carved recesses. Fine surface texture and light craquelure add depth and age, while the overall finish retains a soft, matte quality characteristic of wood-fired wares.
The interior reveals a quiet, contemplative surface, where the glaze settles more evenly yet still carries the warmth and depth of the exterior. The foot is left partially exposed, revealing the underlying Shigaraki clay body—iron-rich and beautifully fired, grounding the piece in its traditional origins.
Signed Seiho along with seal confirming the artist.
Age: 20th Century
Dimensions: 5 3/4″ x 5 1/2″