A spectacular bowl covered inside with a rich caramel color, outside in dark amber glaze outside with various white dots evenly distributed around the surface, and clearly stamped Zoroku on the base in the original signed wooden box titled Kosetsu Chawan.It is 13.5 cm (65-1/2 inches) diameter, 7.5 cm (3 inches tall) and in excellent condition.
The first-generation Mashimizu Zoroku (1822–1877) was born in Kuga Village, Yamashiro Province, as the third son of Shimizu Gen’emon. He began his pottery training in Kyoto’s Gojozaka district in 1834 and established his own kiln in 1843. Receiving the character "真" (Ma) from Prince Kogen Hoshinno, he changed his surname to Masamizu. Zoroku gained prominence for his celadon ware, earning the title "Zoroku of Celadon," and was a pioneer of celadon production in Gojozaka. He exhibited at international expositions in Vienna (1873) and Philadelphia (1876) and was known for his philanthropy, aiding disaster victims and the disadvantaged. Zoroku also crafted tea utensils for Emperor Komei in 1864, earning the "Sokan" seal from Gengensai Soshitsu of Urasenke.
The second-generation Mashimizu Zoroku (1861–1936), born in Kyoto as the eldest son of the first Zoroku, assumed the title in 1882 after his father’s passing. He excelled in celadon, white porcelain, underglaze blue, and Mishima styles, drawing inspiration from Chinese and Korean ceramics. He relocated his kiln to Yamashina in 1917 and later to Nishikyo in 1930, forging connections with prominent potters such as Arakawa Toyozo. An authority on antique ceramics, he authored several notable works and earned awards at exhibitions, including the Kyoto and Nanto Expositions. His seals evolved over time, beginning with "Hyakuju" and later adopting "Shunsen" and "Zoroku."
