Tea Bowl Ginga | Kusuo Baba's work in Shinemon Kiln [146175]

[size]
Width: 12.8cm / Height: 7.2cm
Width: 5in / Height: 2.8in

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This matcha bowl is a work by Ky?suo Baba, the second-generation master of the Shinemon Kiln?one of the most prestigious kilns representing Arita ware. A true masterpiece, it is designed for use in the Japanese tea ceremony and embodies both tradition and innovation.

The Shinemon Kiln is renowned for its expertise in the *Y?hen* technique?a method in which glazes undergo natural transformations within the kiln, resulting in unpredictable and beautiful effects that evoke the mystery of nature. The glaze used in this piece is called *Ginga* (“Galaxy”), a unique variation of *Yuteki Tenmoku* (oil-spot glaze) developed exclusively by the Shinemon Kiln. It was designed to represent the Milky Way as seen across a summer night sky, offering a serene atmosphere filled with depth and subtle radiance?much like starlight shimmering in darkness.

Through careful manipulation of the size, color, and distribution of the silvery spots, the kiln expresses a wide range of celestial landscapes. Each bowl becomes a microcosm of the galaxy, inviting the viewer to lose themselves in its quiet, otherworldly beauty.

The rim is elegantly adorned with high-purity gold, adding a refined brilliance that complements the deep, mysterious glaze. This delicate accent enhances the bowl’s presence and creates a sense of graceful sophistication with every use. It is a piece that not only serves its function in the tea ceremony, but also offers a contemplative visual experience?one that lingers long after the bowl has been set down.


[Potter Profile]
Kusuo Baba
(The second-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln)
Member of Nitten / Councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association / Vice President of the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Association / Director of the Saga Art Association

I create works that inherit the tradition of Arita ware while aligning with contemporary sensibilities. I specialize in the Yohen technique, which skillfully manipulates glazes, adding an element of serendipity to each piece as it reaches completion, thereby expressing a mystical beauty.

[Kusuo Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1952
1976: Joined the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research Institute, where he learned the basics of ceramics and began researching glazes.
1980: Joined Maemon Kiln and began creating pottery, continuing his research on glazes to this day.
1981: Received strong guidance from Ryuzan Aoki, a recipient of the Order of Culture.
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei." Subsequently, he has been selected 20 times.
2004: Exhibited "Haruka wo Nozomu" and "Umibe no Uta" at the Arita Pottery Exhibition in Germany.
2010: Held the "Encountering Colors at Ogurayama" exhibition at Jojakkoji Temple in Kyoto.
2014: Appointed as a judge for the 53rd Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
2021: Elected as a councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association.

[Main Awards]
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei."
2000: Awarded the Grand Prize and the 50th Anniversary Special Prize at the Saga Prefecture Exhibition for "Haruka na Sazanami."
2003: Received the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the 100th Anniversary Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition for "Umibe no Uta."
2005: Received the Contemporary Craft Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Reimei-05."
2008: Received the Contemporary Craft Full Member Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Kyoku-08(1)."
2011: Received the Director's Award at the 50th Anniversary Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition for "Sazanami no Uta."
2012: Won the Special Prize at the Nitten exhibition for "Haruka na Mine."
2012: Received the Grand Prize and the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition for "Sankei."