An incredibly rare set of five small tea cups by Tomioka Haruko enclosed in a wooden box signed by her husband the illustrious literati artist Tomioka Tessai titled Kone Chawan dated Taisho 8 (1919).They are hand formed, pinches and raised in the style of Otagaki Rengetsu (who was mentor to Tessai), and each uniquely decorated and each is uniquely signed Haruko saku. They are roughly 6 cm (2-1/2 inches) diameter, 4 cm (1-1/2 inches) tall and all are in excellent condition.
Tomioka Haruko (1847-1940) was born the third daughter in a samurai family (Sasaki-clan) of Iyo fief.She was married to Tomioka Tessai in the fifth year of the Meiji period (1872) and was a respected artist and poet, continuing to work throughout her long life, showing a distinct affinity for pottery.
