Ido Chawan – Miyabi, an eye‑catching tea bowl created by Ichikawa Toru in 2025. Throughout his career, Ichikawa has explored a wide range of chawan forms, but this particular style is the result of several years of focused research and refinement. The Ido chawan is a type of Korean Goryeo tea bowl produced mainly in the 16th century and later cherished by Japanese tea masters—so much so that it came to be known as the “King of Tea Bowls.” This title is so daunting it even put off this most innovative artist, who told us he had wanted to attempt the Ido form, but did not have the confidence to try. This work is Ichikawa’s own contemporary interpretation of that tradition, capturing the quiet wabi‑sabi spirit that defines the classic Ido aesthetic. It is from his firing late in 2025, and this is the first time the bowls in this style have been offered for sale. The bowl measures 13.3 x 10.3 cm (5 1/4 × 4 inches) and comes housed in an original wooden box signed by the artist. It is in excellent condition.
Ichikawa Toru was born in Tokyo in 1973. In 2015 he established his current studio in Bizen after 4 years of apprenticeship under another Bizen Outsider, Kakurezaki Ryuichi. He has since developed quite a following, with his shows selling out often within hours.
