An exquisite 19th century tea bowl with running ash glaze over iron rich clay from Mushiake in modern day Okayama Prefecture. The bowl is 12 cm (5 inches) diameter, 7.5 cm (3 inches) tall and in excellent condition. It comes wrapped in a beautiful antique silk pouch in a Kiri-wood storage box.
The origins of Mushiake-yaki pottery are uncertain, with various theories suggesting it began around 300 years ago. This pottery tradition emerged in the Mushiake area, which was part of the domain of the Iki family, the chief retainers of the Okayama clan, who were granted 33,000 koku of land. Mushiake-yaki developed as an oniwayaki (garden kiln) under the patronage of the Iki family. The pottery shared similarities with Bizen ware, but also made works similar to the glazed wares of Takatori and other famous tea-ware regions. During the tenure of the 14th lord, Iki Tadasumi (who used the tea name Sansensai), a prominent tea master, Mushiake-yaki underwent significant transformation. Tadasumi invited renowned artisans of the time, including Kyoto’s Seifu Yohei, Raku Chōzō, and Miyagawa Kōzan (Makuzu Kōzan), to contribute their expertise. Under their influence, the pottery adopted a Kyoto-inspired style resembling the delicate thinness of Awata-yaki.
