Hiyama Bizen Chawan

Hiroshi Goseki trained under Jun Isezaki, a Living National Treasure, and later established his kiln in Ibaraki. This is a Hiyama-Bizen Chawan by Hiroshi Goseki.

This Chawan was made using a blend of Bizen clay and Hiyama clay, and fired in the Anagama kiln he built in Hiyama, Hitachiomiya City.

Perhaps due to the influence of the Hiyama clay, it has a rough, earthy texture when held in the hand, while the strong caramel-brown clay tone gives it a charm distinct from that of traditional Bizen-style works.

The exterior features Sangiri with a distinctive luster and texture reminiscent of wet stone, while the interior draws the eye with matte Tobi-Goma scattered across a dry clay surface.

For this work, the form was first built up to a certain degree using slab construction, and then carefully adjusted and refined by hand. The resulting shape is excellent, conveying both the quiet dignity and subtle movement reminiscent of a Raku Chawan.

The foot also reflects Goseki’s deep study of tea ceramics and the tea ceremony. Within its energetic and sharp design, a calm sense of maturity is beginning to emerge.