Chawan Chawan with Shino Glaze by Jyuzo Sato

A delicate pink that shifts toward reddish at the edges and is crossed by fine, cloud-like mottling in gray-blue – the vitality of the Shino glaze becomes palpable at first glance at this tea bowl. The characteristic feldspathic glaze that established the Mino region's reputation in the history of Japanese ceramics reacts unpredictably to heat and oxygen supply during wood-fired kiln firing, producing the subtle interplay of colors that makes each bowl a unique work.

The slightly irregular, almost square-looking rim shape reveals the free hand of the potter, who deliberately dispensed with perfect symmetry to give the bowl character and vitality. Fine cracks in the glaze, known as kannyu, run across the body and deepen over the course of use, contributing to the piece's patina. The bowl bears the stamp of Jyuzo Sato, whose hallmark shows in the calm, balanced form.

Created during the Shôwa period, this chawan combines traditional craftsmanship with the restraint expected of a good tea bowl. It sits comfortably in the hand, is suited both to the tea ceremony and as a decorative collector's piece, and reflects the centuries-old tradition of Shino ware in an impressive way.