Magic of the Tea Bowl : A Survey of 11 Contemporary Ippodo Gallery Artists

Overview

There is no other form of art that possesses such a close, physical sensitivity or arouses such a rich emotion. As you focus your feelings within the tea bowl, time is forgotten, and it is in the ensuing silence where the cosmos seems to spread out from within your hands. 

The Japanese tea ceremony was first established during the 16th century and has continued to flourish to the present day. Closely related to Zen philosophy, it has held a central place in Japanese art, culture and soul. Known as Chawan, tea bowls are handed from the tea master, who prepares the tea, to the guests, transmitting the scent and warmth of the tea through the hands to the lip. There is no other form of art that possesses such a close, physical sensitivity or arouses such a rich emotion. As you focus your feelings within the tea bowl, time is forgotten, and it is in the ensuing silence where the cosmos seems to spread out from within your hands. Your heart and body shaken with an indescribable pulse. It is as if you are being enchanted. 

Numerous people participate in the tea ceremony at the same time and place, sharing tea from the same bowl, but this has become impossible due to the current circumstances. As a result, it has heightened our appreciation of the essence of the tea ceremony, which is summed up in the phrase, ‘Ichigo Ichie' (Treasure every meeting, for it will never recur) and it has never felt as important as it is now.

Ippodo Gallery has been collecting tea bowls by various potters since last winter. Each tea bowl is imbued with feelings and emotions of the potters as they work with the clay. For this exhibition we have selected eleven potters who we believe stand at the forefront of the field of contemporary Japanese ceramics. At a time when people are unable to meet freely, these tea bowls will insinuate themselves into our hearts and link us all together. Tea bowls serve to drive away loneliness and create a new language. Filled with over one hundred tea bowls that shine like the stars in the sky, the gallery takes on the appearance of the Milky Way. We hope that you will be able to come and discover the magic tea bowl that will become irreplaceable to you.

 

 Shoko Aono

Works
  • Kan Kishino, Yakishime Yohen Tea Bowl
    Kan Kishino, Yakishime Yohen Tea Bowl
  • Kan Kishino Yakishime Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Kan Kishino
    Yakishime Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Kan Kishino, Yakishime Tea Bowl
    Kan Kishino, Yakishime Tea Bowl
  • Kan Kishino Yakishime Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Kan Kishino
    Yakishime Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Kan Kishino Ido Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Kan Kishino
    Ido Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Kan Kishino Seto Black Bowl, 2021 Ceramic
    Kan Kishino
    Seto Black Bowl, 2021
    Ceramic
  • Yasushi Fujihira Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Yasushi Fujihira
    Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Yasushi Fujihira, Tea Bowl
    Yasushi Fujihira, Tea Bowl
  • Yasushi Fujihira Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Yasushi Fujihira
    Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Yasushi Fujihira Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Yasushi Fujihira
    Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Hiyama Bizen Tea Bowl (Round)
    Hiroshi Goseki, Hiyama Bizen Tea Bowl (Round)
  • Hiroshi Goseki Hiyama Bizen Tea Bowl - 桧山備前茶盌(筒型) Ceramic
    Hiroshi Goseki
    Hiyama Bizen Tea Bowl - 桧山備前茶盌(筒型)
    Ceramic
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash and Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash and Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash and Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash and Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash and Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Natural Ash and Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Ash Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Ash Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Ash Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Ash Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Iron Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Iron Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Iron Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Iron Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Shino Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Natural Ash Tea Bowl, 2020
    Kan Matsuzaki, Yohen Natural Ash Tea Bowl, 2020
  • Kai Tsujimura, Hikidashi Black Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Hikidashi Black Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, HikIdashi Black Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, HikIdashi Black Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, Oribe Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Oribe Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, Oribe Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Oribe Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, Shigaraki Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Shigaraki Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, Shigaraki Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Shigaraki Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura Shigaraki Tea Bowl - 信楽茶碗 Ceramic
    Kai Tsujimura
    Shigaraki Tea Bowl - 信楽茶碗
    Ceramic
  • Kai Tsujimura Shigaraki Tea Bowl - 信楽茶碗 Ceramic
    Kai Tsujimura
    Shigaraki Tea Bowl - 信楽茶碗
    Ceramic
  • Kai Tsujimura, Shigaraki Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Shigaraki Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura Shigaraki Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Kai Tsujimura
    Shigaraki Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Kai Tsujimura Shino Tea Bowl - 志野茶碗 Ceramic
    Kai Tsujimura
    Shino Tea Bowl - 志野茶碗
    Ceramic
  • Yui Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
    Yui Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
  • Yui Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
    Yui Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
  • Yui Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
    Yui Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
  • Yui Tsujimura, Natural Ash Bowl
    Yui Tsujimura, Natural Ash Bowl
  • Yui Tsujimura, Natural Ash Tea Bowl
    Yui Tsujimura, Natural Ash Tea Bowl
  • Yui Tsujimura, Natural Ash Vase
    Yui Tsujimura, Natural Ash Vase
  • Noriyuki Furutani Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl (fired in anagama kiln) - 油滴天目茶盌(穴窯焼成) Ceramic
    Noriyuki Furutani
    Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl (fired in anagama kiln) - 油滴天目茶盌(穴窯焼成)
    Ceramic
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
    Noriyuki Furutani, Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
    Noriyuki Furutani, Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Yellow Tenmoku Tea Bowl
    Noriyuki Furutani, Yellow Tenmoku Tea Bowl
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Black Tenmoku Tea Bowl, 2021
    Noriyuki Furutani, Black Tenmoku Tea Bowl, 2021
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Pink and Silver Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
    Noriyuki Furutani, Pink and Silver Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Pink and Silver Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
    Noriyuki Furutani, Pink and Silver Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
  • Noriyuki Furutani, Pink and Silver Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
    Noriyuki Furutani, Pink and Silver Yuteki Tenmoku Tea Bowl
  • Noriyuki Furutani Nogime Tenmoku Tea Bowl - 禾目天目茶碗 Ceramic
    Noriyuki Furutani
    Nogime Tenmoku Tea Bowl - 禾目天目茶碗
    Ceramic
  • Noriyuki Furutani Nogime Tenmoku Tea Bowl - 禾目天目茶碗 Ceramic
    Noriyuki Furutani
    Nogime Tenmoku Tea Bowl - 禾目天目茶碗
    Ceramic
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Two Toned Tea Container
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Two Toned Tea Container
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Two Toned Tea Container
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Two Toned Tea Container
  • Hiroshi Goseki Blue Yohen Black Tea Bowl - 蒼変黒茶盌 Ceramic
    Hiroshi Goseki
    Blue Yohen Black Tea Bowl - 蒼変黒茶盌
    Ceramic
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Hiyama Bizen Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Hiyama Bizen Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, White Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, White Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Black Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Black Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Black Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Black Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Vase
    Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Vase
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Blue Yohen Tea Bowl
  • Hiroshi Goseki, Hidasuki Tea Bowl
    Hiroshi Goseki, Hidasuki Tea Bowl
  • Morimitsu Hosokawa, Red Raku Tea Bowl
    Morimitsu Hosokawa, Red Raku Tea Bowl
  • Morimitsu Hosokawa, Hakeme Flat Tea Bowl
    Morimitsu Hosokawa, Hakeme Flat Tea Bowl
  • Morimitsu Hosokawa, Ido Tea Bowl
    Morimitsu Hosokawa, Ido Tea Bowl
  • Morimitsu Hosokawa, Ash Tea Bowl
    Morimitsu Hosokawa, Ash Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, Karatsu Katakuchi Bowl with Spout
    Kai Tsujimura, Karatsu Katakuchi Bowl with Spout
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kai Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
    Kai Tsujimura, Shino Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, White Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, White Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, White Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, White Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Ofukei and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Ofukei and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Ofukei and Lacquer Pot
    Kodai Ujiie, Ofukei and Lacquer Pot
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Sugar Glazed Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino Neritsugi Tea Bowl Ceramic
    Tomoyuki Hoshino
    Neritsugi Tea Bowl
    Ceramic
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Porcelain Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Porcelain Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Porcelain Tea Bowl
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Benihari Porcelain Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kan Kishino, Shino Tea Bowl
    Kan Kishino, Shino Tea Bowl
  • Tomoyuki Hoshino, Nerihari Water Jar
    Tomoyuki Hoshino, Nerihari Water Jar
  • Yukiya Izumita, Sekisoh Tea Bowl
    Yukiya Izumita, Sekisoh Tea Bowl
  • Yukiya Izumita, Sekisoh Tea Bowl
    Yukiya Izumita, Sekisoh Tea Bowl
  • Yukiya Izumita, Sekisoh Tea Bowl
    Yukiya Izumita, Sekisoh Tea Bowl
  • Yukiya Izumita, Flake Tea Bowl
    Yukiya Izumita, Flake Tea Bowl
  • Morimitsu Hosokawa Black Raku Tea Bowl - 黒楽茶碗 Ceramic
    Morimitsu Hosokawa
    Black Raku Tea Bowl - 黒楽茶碗
    Ceramic
  • Morimitsu Hosokawa, Black Raku Tea Bowl
    Morimitsu Hosokawa, Black Raku Tea Bowl
  • Yasushi Fujihira, Tea Bowl
    Yasushi Fujihira, Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
    Kodai Ujiie, Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl
  • Kodai Ujiie Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl, 2021 Ceramic
    Kodai Ujiie
    Celadon and Lacquer Tea Bowl, 2021
    Ceramic
Press release

NEW YORK, NY – Ippodo Gallery is pleased to present ‘Magic of the Tea Bowl’, a group exhibition surveying over 100 tea bowls made by 11 artists, ranging from emerging to established ceramic artists. These artists take the traditional, highly regarded form of the tea bowl and reconstruct it with their own fresh contemporary style. These pieces, made by artists of different backgrounds – from self-taught ceramicists to sons of master potters, the range of work and visual identity is vast. The tea bowl is one of the most valuable, highly respected forms of art in Asian culture. Since the 16th century, the Japanese have used the tea bowl in traditional tea ceremony and as a result, it has become an object held at high esteem.

Ippodo Gallery New York, throughout the years, have witnessed the attention that tea bowls receive. They have the capacity to capture hearts and become a mediator between the artist and viewer – the bowls can be touched, appreciated and experienced through human interaction – through the 5 senses. As tea bowls are used, whether in the traditional sense of the tea ceremony or for casual everyday tea, the viewer establishes a connection, a day-to-day narrative and ritual with the object. The tea bowl no longer stands alone as a work of fine art made by a singular artist but a collaboration between the artist and viewer. This is an intimate relationship.

Each tea bowl in the exhibition has their own unique characteristics true to the artist’s own visual language. From undulating lips and decorative glazing to altered forms and unique material, each tea bowl contains their own narrative, their own singular universe.

Ippodo Gallery hopes to share the universe of the tea bowl with you.

Installation Views