Created by Takeichi Kawai (1908–1989), a ceramic artist who was the nephew of Mingei Movement master Kanjiro Kawai and served as Kanjiro's senior disciple and right-hand man at the Shokei Kiln in Gojozaka, Kyoto, for nearly forty years from 1927 to 1966, supporting the workshop's throwing and shaping techniques. In 1935, he served as an assistant to British potter Bernard Leach during Leach's visit to Japan, and after Kanjiro's passing, he worked independently, presenting his works primarily through solo exhibitions at Takashimaya department stores nationwide and other venues. Dating from his mature period between the 1970s and early 1980s (the late 1940s to 1950s of the Showa era), when he fully pursued independent creation following Kanjiro's death and began signing and sealing the inner lid of dedicated wooden boxes (tomobako) as "Kaiki Glaze Bowl, Takeichi," this piece is identified as an authentic work. Pursuing the functional beauty ("Yo no Bi") of folk crafts without seeking official exhibition awards or official honors, Takeichi's works are held in public collections such as the Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art, the Adachi Museum of Art, and the Izumo Museum of Folk Crafts.
As inscribed on the dedicated wooden box as "Kaiki Glaze" (Kaiki-yu), this vessel richly incorporates the traditional sea-cucumber glaze (Namako glaze, an opalescent blue-white glaze using cobalt and straw ash) for which the Kawai workshop is renowned. Over a heavy, dark-brown base glaze, a foamy, wave-like blue-white glaze is poured, creating fine crystals and mottling during the melting and flowing process of the viscous glaze in the kiln, drawing a beautiful gradient reminiscent of the mysterious deep sea. The large, voluptuous form rounded and swelling from the lower body to the waist is the result of Takeichi's robust and powerful wheel-throwing technique, which is his true signature. From the lower body down to the foot ring, the glaze pools in heavy droplets to form a dramatic landscape, while the unglazed raw clay (rotai) around the foot exposes the rustic, iron-rich texture of the earthenware clay. The interior bowl bottom (mikomi) also holds a deep pool of opalescent blue glaze, conferring rich texture and profound depth to the entire vessel.
Measuring an impressive approx. 12.4 cm in height and approx. 19.5 to 20.0 cm in width with substantial depth, our shop proposes this vessel as a dignified large ice bowl for enjoying aged spirits or premium whiskey, or as an elegant fruit basket or centerpiece bowl for the table, tailored to modern lifestyles. The contrast between the deep blue-white sea-cucumber glaze and the dark brown base beautifully highlights the ice or colorful fruits placed inside, bringing a refined Japanese craft aesthetic to luxurious evening drinks or dining occasions. An authentic piece uniting Mingei philosophy and the techniques of the Kawai workshop, this masterpiece allows one to savor the true essence of traditional Japanese ceramic art through both sight and touch.
- Artist: Takeichi Kawai (1908–1989)
- Representative Career Highlights: Studied under his uncle Kanjiro Kawai from 1927, supporting the Shokei Kiln as senior disciple. Served as assistant to Bernard Leach in 1935. Worked independently following Kanjiro's passing, presenting works primarily through solo exhibitions.
- Public Collections: Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art, Adachi Museum of Art, Izumo Museum of Folk Crafts, etc.
- Production Period: 1970s–early 1980s (Late 1940s–1950s, Showa era)
- Item Condition: Very Good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Dedicated original wooden box (Tomobako) included (with calligraphy "Kaiki Glaze Bowl, Takeichi" and seal on inner lid)
- Material: Ceramics (Sea-cucumber glaze, Kaiki glaze)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 12.4 cm, Width approx. 19.5–20.0 cm
- Note: The items provided by our shop were produced a very long time ago and are all listed as pre-owned items. Please understand and confirm the age-related changes before considering your purchase.
