This Hagi ware tea bowl is crafted by Isshin Morishima (born 1937, kiln name: Kanbo-an), a master of Hagi ceramics with a distinguished record of supplying matcha tea bowls to key political figures—including former Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda, former Chief Cabinet Secretary Masaharu Gotoda, and former Minister for Foreign Affairs Shintaro Abe—as well as creating the memorial work for the first anniversary of the late former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato. Establishing his kiln in Tamae, Hagi City, Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1967 and relocating it to Tsubakihigashi Uenodai in 1981, Morishima established an elegant, dignified tea ceramic technique through continuous selections at the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Exhibition, as well as the Japan Traditional Crafts Western Exhibition and the Issuikai Exhibition. Following the classic forms of traditional Goryeo tea bowls while pursuing the rustic, warm beauty of natural kiln transformations created by clay and glaze, he earned high acclaim in the Showa-era Hagi pottery world.
This work represents a splendid culmination of Morishima's signature expressions achieved through traditional coarse clay and thick white Hagi (Shirahagi) glaze. The entire body is generously covered with a soft-textured, opaque Shirahagi glaze, across which fine crackles and pinholes spread beautifully. A section of the body employs the Katamigawari (half-and-half) technique, where glaze is applied diagonally off-center, creating a striking contrast between the pristine white glaze and the warm loquat-colored fire marks and rough clay texture beneath. From the lower body to the foot ring, a bamboo-node foot is hand-sculpted, while a powerful Kairagi (plum-skin effect)—formed by un-melted, contracted glaze—manifests around the foot, alongside the artist's clear stamp "Isshin" beside the foot ring.
We propose this vessel, combining dignified sculptural elegance and substantial texture, as a supreme Japanese Kogei sake vessel (whisky rock glass) for savoring aged sake, premium whisky, or shochu over ice in modern lifestyles. The moist, tactile feel of the clay when held, along with the crackle patterns that deepen in character when liquid is poured, elevates daily drinks into a special artistic experience. Based on the accompanying biography leaflet and his relocation to Tsubakihigashi Uenodai in 1981, this piece is identified as an authentic work created between 1981 and 1985 in exceptional condition, coming complete with its original Tomobako bearing the artist's handwritten calligraphy and red seal, a matching cloth (tomogire), and the original biography leaflet.
- Artist：Isshin Morishima (Kanbo-an, born 1937)
- Artist's Key Activities：[1967] Established kiln in Tamae, Hagi City; [1974] First selected for the Yamaguchi Prefectural Art Exhibition (selected continuously thereafter); [1975, 1978] Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Western Exhibition; [1976] Created memorial work for the first anniversary of late former Prime Minister Eisaku Sato; [1977] Delivered (purchased) matcha tea bowls to Prime Minister Takeo Fukuda and the Director-General of the Prime Minister's Office; [1977] Selected for the Issuikai Exhibition; [1981] Relocated kiln to Tsubakihigashi Uenodai, Hagi City; [1983] Delivered (purchased) matcha tea bowls to Chief Cabinet Secretary Masaharu Gotoda and Minister for Foreign Affairs Shintaro Abe
- Period of Production：1981–1985
- Condition：Very good (no chips, no cracks, excluding age-related character typical of antique art)
- Accessories：Dedicated Tomobako (with "Hagi Chawan" on the lid and "Isshin" inscribed in ink with red seal on the lower left), matching cloth (tomogire), original biography leaflet included
- Material：Stoneware (Hagi ware, Shirahagi glaze, loquat-toned fire mark, Katamigawari half-and-half glaze, Kairagi plum-skin effect, crackle glaze)
- Dimensions：Height approx. 9.3 cm, Width (body diameter) approx. 12.9 cm, Inner mouth diameter approx. 10.7 cm
- Caution：All products offered by our shop are historical items from an old production period and are listed as antique art / pre-owned items. Products may have subtle changes due to age, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying the nature of antique art.
