This piece is "Awayuki" (Light Snow), a masterpiece Shino tea bowl created by Keisen Yano (also known as Keisen / 景仙, 1872–1965), a master artisan of Mino Shino ware. Keisen Yano was bestowed the artistic name "Keisen" (景川) in 1942 upon crafting a tea bowl commemorating the 88th birthday (Beiju) of Mitsuru Toyama. In 1952, he was also granted the character "Sen" (仙) by Rosen Takashina, President of the Japan Buddhist Federation and Abbot of Eiheiji Temple, thereby also using the name "Keisen" (景仙). Following his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 1955 and a solo exhibition in Nagoya in 1956, he held a three-artist collaborative exhibition in 1957 with literary giant Saneatsu Mushanokoji and woodblock printmaker Shiko Munakata. In 1959, he presented a Shino tea bowl on the occasion of the wedding of the Crown Prince (now Emperor Emeritus), establishing himself as a master of Mino ceramic art who earned immense trust and acclaim from distinguished figures in political, business, religious, and cultural circles.
This work, "Awayuki" (『淡雪』：Meaning "light snow"), represents the perfect culmination of Shino ware feldspar glazing techniques and aesthetic design using oniita (iron slip). From the foot ring to the lower body, the warm white clay (mogusa clay) body unique to Mino is carved out and exposed, onto which oniita (iron slip) was applied before being coated with thick feldspar glaze and fired at high temperatures. The entire surface expresses a deep, jet-black background overlaid with a delicate, dignified white yuzuhada (citrus-skin) texture born from minute bubble marks and feldspar crawling, evoking the imagery of light snow fluttering through a pitch-black night sky. Beside the foot ring on the bottom of the vessel, the artist personally carved the inscriptions "Keisen" and "Awayuki" alongside his stamped seal. The striking contrast between the jet-black background and white feldspar extends deep into the interior, conveying a moist, clinging clay texture when held in hand.
Possessing the dignified sculptural beauty of a traditional matcha bowl, we propose this vessel in modern lifestyles as a supreme Japanese rock glass for slowly savoring amber aged sake or Japanese whisky over large ice cubes. The profound landscape formed by the jet-black and white light snow pattern creates a breathtaking backdrop for liquid and ice, elevating every pour into an extraordinary artistic experience. Regarding its period of production, as the single artist name "Keisen" (景川) is exclusively used on the carved inscription at the base, the lid inscription on the Tomobako, and the signature on the wrapping cloth, this authentic work is identified to have been created between 1942 and 1952—the period between receiving the name "Keisen" from Mitsuru Toyama in 1942 and being granted the name "Keisen" (景仙) by Rosen Takashina in 1952. It arrives in complete, flawless condition, accompanied by its dedicated Tomobako with the lid inscribed in ink "Awayuki Shino Chawan Keisen" and a wrapping cloth featuring the artist's handwritten signature "Keisen."
- Artist： Keisen Yano (1872–1965)
- Artist's Key Activities： [1872] Born in Aichi Prefecture; [1942] Crafted a tea bowl for Mitsuru Toyama's 88th birthday and was bestowed the artistic name "Keisen" (景川); [1952] Crafted a tea bowl for Eiheiji Abbot Rosen Takashina's 77th birthday and also took the name "Keisen" (景仙); [1955] Held first solo exhibition in Tokyo; [1956] Held solo exhibition in Nagoya; [1957] Held a three-artist collaborative exhibition with Saneatsu Mushanokoji and Shiko Munakata; [1959] Presented a Shino tea bowl on the occasion of the Crown Prince's wedding
- Works Housed In： Presented work to the Imperial Household of Japan
- Period of Production： 1942–1952
- Condition： Very good (no chips, no cracks)
- Accessories： Dedicated Tomobako, wrapping cloth with artist's handwritten signature
- Material： Ceramic (Mino ware, Shino, Kuro-Shino, feldspar glaze, oniita iron slip, crackle glaze, yuzuhada citrus-skin texture, carved inscription, named "Awayuki")
- Dimensions： Height approx. 8.8 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 10.5 cm × 12.0 cm
- Caution： All products offered by our shop are pre-owned items due to their historical production period, even if unused. Products may have age-related damage, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying these condition details.
