Shōji Umehara: Irodori-Yōhen chachū

The 82 year-old grand master is still working diligently on his beloved art, even though his son has already picked up the third generation Shōryu 昭龍 title.

A signature piece showcasing the artist’s unparalleled glazing and firing mastery

Master Umehara is an artist with multiple international and national awards. His own renowned workshop in Tokoname: Shōryūtouen 昭龍陶園 is renowned for a signature tenmoku glazing style inspired by a Chinese artisan tradition in making tea bowls in the 11~13th century. In this particular piece, the grand master has pushed this highly developed glazing technique even further. The dreamlike chromatic effect with the tiny marbling pattern within such a thin layer, especially that on the lid, is acheived with multiple reduction firing at different high temperature made possible with the modern kiln, coupled with a mastery of the physical nature of the glaze materials. This is a hard act to follow. Notice that the interior of the pot itself remains unglazed for the taste optimising benefits of a bare stoneware for tea infusion. Another interesting detail is in the lid knob. It is so beautifully gold because actual pure gold is used in the making of the clay that it is made of. It is another key feature in his main signature line.

* note: The signed name is both the artist’s artist name and the studio name. That is also why in his pot certificates, most of his works, except some distinctly different slab-built or rustic styles ones, are categorically named 昭龍天目