In the history of modern Japanese ceramics, this is an extremely rare work from the Yaguchi Kiln period by Tanaka Hozan, a master craftsman who was a member during the dawn of the Toto-kai, which he helped establish alongside Living National Treasure Itaya Hazan, and who later pioneered Japan's first firing technology utilizing natural gas fuel. Tanaka Hozan (born Tanaka Sakutaro, October 21, 1884 – June 13, 1964) was born in Gojozaka, Higashiyama, Kyoto, and received rigorous instruction in the craft of Kiyomizu ware vessels from his father, Heian Kozan, a highly renowned ceramist. In 1913, he was invited by Mitsui Gomei Kaisha to Singapore, embarking on a unique career path manufacturing ceramic collection cups for rubber trees to support local industry. Following his return to Japan in 1925, he built the Yaguchi Kiln near the Yaguchi-no-watashi ferry point in Kamata, Tokyo, immersing himself in the creation of tea utensils. In 1938, he traveled to China to study the regional clay characteristics in Shandong and Henan provinces. During the war in 1944, he dedicated his efforts to reviving the legendary Otowa ware in Takashima Town, Shiga Prefecture, along the western coast of Lake Biwa. In the postwar era of 1947, he relocated to Mobara, Chiba Prefecture, at the invitation of Hidezaburo Kurushima, president of Otaki Natural Gas Company, where he established the Chosei Kiln and founded Mobara ware fired by natural gas. His wave-tossed life journey and superb artistic achievements, continuing until his passing at the age of 79, are historically authenticated by the fact that the Tanaka Hozan Ceramic Collection is permanently preserved and exhibited at the Wayo Women's University Cultural Materials Museum.
This work is a historically significant masterpiece of Korean Karatsu ware produced during the golden age of the Tokyo Yaguchi Kiln period, which Tanaka Hozan operated for only a fleeting window between his return to Japan in 1925 and his departure for China in 1938. The surface of the lid of the accompanying dedicated wooden box (Tomobako) bears the artist's own fluid calligraphic title inscription of "Tsutsu Chawan" (Cylindrical Tea Bowl) in ink, with his authentic signature "Yaguchi Kiln, made by Hozan" and his vermilion seal (rakkan) clearly impressed on the lower left, providing objective documentation that this is a genuine piece from the celebrated kiln built from the late Taisho period to the early Showa 1930s. The surface of the vessel, displaying a thick and powerful form characteristic of hand-thrown pottery on a wheel, features a dark brown iron glaze as its base, over which a milky-white straw ash glaze is boldly ladled, rendering a dynamic, cascading contrast. Due to the natural phenomena of the flames inside the coal-fired kilns of that era, where temperature control was exceedingly difficult, a brilliant coloration of yellowish-green and bluish hues forms a beautiful Yohen (kiln transmutation) gradation at the boundaries of the glazes, while the base unmasks a robust, reddish-brown clay body and glaze crawling. Furthermore, peering into the interior of the vessel, a glassy, lustrous bluish glaze pool (yutamari) has gathered at the bottom of the basin, offering a profound sense of depth that stands in exquisite juxtaposition to the audacious scenery of the exterior.
We propose this historically valuable cylindrical tea bowl as a supreme Japanese Kogei sake vessel (rock glass) for appreciating aged sake, matured liquors, or your favorite whisky accompanied by large ice cubes, elegantly adapting it to a refined modern lifestyle. The precise techniques of Kiyomizu ware inherited from his father, Heian Kozan, combined with Hozan’s unique insights from studying soils around the world, culminate in a substantial form that settles comfortably within the hand, gently cradling the aromatic bouquet of the spirit. The amber liquid poured within resonates in perfect harmony with the mysterious glaze pool inside and the grand color visual on the exterior. Tanaka Hozan relocated his creative base across Tokyo, Shiga, and Chiba during different eras, making the absolute volume of extant authentic works exceptionally scarce due to the tightly restricted production timeframes in each region. It is particularly rare for a cylindrical tea bowl from the Yaguchi Kiln period, fully intact with its original Tomobako, to enter the private trade. This is a singular, irreplaceable treasure by a phantom master about whom virtually no records exist overseas, sublimating your daily evening drink into an hour of contemplating peak three-dimensional art.
- Artist: Tanaka Hozan (Birth name: Sakutaro Tanaka, born October 21, 1884 – passed away June 13, 1964, aged 79)
- Representative Career Highlights: [1884] Studied Kiyomizu ware under the ceramist Heian Kozan in Gojozaka, Higashiyama, Kyoto, [1913] Invited by Mitsui Gomei Kaisha to Singapore, [1925] Returned to Japan and opened the Yaguchi Kiln in Kamata, Tokyo, [1927] Became a member of the Toto-kai, [1938] Researched ceramics in Shandong and Henan provinces, China, [1944] Devoted efforts to revive Otowa ware in Takashima Town, Shiga Prefecture, [1947] Relocated to Mobara City, Chiba Prefecture, and established the Chosei Kiln, Japan's first kiln utilizing natural gas firing, at the invitation of Hidezaburo Kurushima, president of Otaki Natural Gas Company (founded Mobara ware)
- Works in Collection: Wayo Women's University Cultural Materials Museum (permanently stored and exhibited as the Tanaka Hozan Ceramic Collection)
- Production Period: 1925–1938 (Taisho 14 – Showa 13, Tokyo Yaguchi Kiln Period)
- Product Condition: Good (no chips, no cracks, excluding age-related changes typical of antique art; one missing leg on the box)
- Accessories: Dedicated wooden box (Tomobako) with "Tsutsu Chawan" inscribed on the lid and "Yaguchi Kiln, made by Hozan" in ink with a seal (rakkan) on the lower left; one missing leg on the box
- Material: Pottery (Korean Karatsu style, iron glaze, straw ash glaze, kiln variations / Yohen)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 10.5 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 9.3 cm
- Note: All items offered by our shop, even if unused, are historical crafts from a very old production period and are listed as antique art. As items may have unique firing flaws or subtle age-related changes, please understand and acknowledge the nature of antique art before considering a purchase.
