Japan, Azuchi–Momoyama period, 16th to 17th centuries
Shino pottery originated during Japan’s Muromachi period (1336–1573) and reached its peak in the Azuchi–Momoyama period (1568–1603). Produced in the Mino region of Gifu, Japan, Shino ware was crafted from the area’s distinctive white clay. The process began by forming vessels on a potter’s wheel, often combined with mold-pressing techniques to create asymmetrical forms. Artisans would then use iron slips to paint designs on the surface before applying feldspar glaze and firing the pieces. Shino ware holds a significant place in Japanese ceramic history as the country’s first white-glazed pottery and the earliest to feature painted motifs, embodying a rustic beauty cherished in tea ceremonies.
This particular tea bowl features a straight rim with uneven undulations, and the body displays an asymmetrical form with angles designed to fit comfortably in two hands. The base exposes unglazed clay, with a characteristic double-ring foot made by attaching strips of clay. Three distinct support marks are visible on the interior bottom, and several areas along the rim have been carefully repaired using kintsugi (gold joinery), indicating that the bowl was treasured and preserved over time.
This artifact exemplifies classic Shino aesthetics, with motifs such as hexagonal kikko patterns, higaki patterns, and linear designs painted with iron slip on the outer wall. After an initial firing, a feldspar glaze was applied for a second firing. The result is a thick, creamy white surface with simple yet elegant decorations—a style known as “Shino type.”. The bowl radiates vitality and dynamism, earning it the poetic name “Haru Nishiki” (spring brocade).