Yamada Sō's "Blue Tea Bowl" showcases a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design. The bowl's deep azure glaze reflects the serene beauty of Japanese aesthetics, while its elegant form embodies the principles of wabi-sabi, appreciating the beauty in imperfection and transience. The artist: This Blue Tea Bowl, crafted by Yamada Sō, carries the esteemed heritage of Tokoname ware, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, renowned for its refined clay and exceptional craftsmanship. As the grandson of Yamada Jōzan III, a Living National Treasure of Japan, and son of Yamada Jōzan IV (Emu), Yamada Sō continues a prestigious lineage dedicated to ceramic artistry. About the techniques: What sets this piece apart is the rare and captivating blue (azure) glaze—a result of careful layering and firing techniques developed over generations. The process involves applying multiple coats of a custom-formulated glaze, rich in iron and mineral content, which reacts within the kiln’s intense heat. The outcome is a luminous surface that shifts in tone and texture under different lighting, evoking the serenity of water or the depth of a twilight sky. Subtle variations in thickness and oxygen exposure during the firing create delicate transitions from deep cobalt to silvery blue—a hallmark of master-level control and kiln intuition. Accompanied by its original signed wooden box, this tea bowl is not merely a functional item but a cherished artifact, representing the enduring legacy of the Yamada family's artistry.
