A deep footed bowl covered in millet colored glaze with absrtracted floral circling in iron, blue and red gosu by legendary Mingei potter Kawai Kanjiro enclosed in the original signed wooden box. The design is slightly unusual, four obvious flowers and two circular windows making for six designs decorating the surface instead of the usual four. In addition, ordinarily this type of bowl is titled simply Hanawan (Flower Bowl). However here, Kanjiro has noted specifically that this is a Hana-Chawan or Flower Tea Bowl. It is the first time I have seen him be so specific, indicating this piece must have been quite special to him. It is 11 cm (4-1/4 inches) diameter, 10.5 cm (4 inches) tall and in excellent condition.
Kawai Kanjiro was a true artist by nature, and together with Hamada Shoji, set a pattern of study for modern potters. After graduating the Tokyo School of Industrial Design, he came to study in Kyoto, eventually establishing his own kiln on the Gojo-no-Saka (It remains standing today and is a must see for anyone visiting Kyoto). Together with compatriots Hamada Shoji and Bernard Leach (with whom he traveled throughout Asia) established the modern Mingei movement in ceramics, the most influential ceramics movement in the 20th century. His research on glazes (of which he developed thousands over a lifetime of work) remains influential as well. Refusing to be limited to ceramics, Kanjiro also worked in bronze, wood and paint. An interesting final note on this unusual artist, when offered the title of Living National Treasure, an honor bestowed on very few, he declined.
