ARAKAWA TOYOZŌ (1894-1985)
Shino straight-sided teabowl with brush stroke in underglaze iron-oxide
1940s
Glazed stoneware with original box
3 1/4 x 5 3/4 x 5 1/8 in.
SOLD

Potter’s mark:  To (incised near base)
Box Title:         Shino chawan; Shino teabowl
Box Signature: Toyozō
Box Seal:         Toyozō

While apprenticing with Kitaōji Rosanjin, Arakawa Toyozō (1894-1985) discovered the ancient kiln sites at Mino that allowed him to redefine the origins of the Momoyama tea ceremony wares. His most famous discovery was that of true Shino ware sherds at Mutabora, where he later built his kiln. Most importantly, his discovery of these old kiln sites allowed Arakawa to successfully replicate sixteenth-century Shino and Oribe glazing techniques of the sixteenth century, becoming the first modern potter to do so. It was through him that Rosanjin learned Shino glaze and other Mino techniques. In 1955, his powerful Momoyama-inspired Shino and Setoguro wares earned him the designation of Living National Treasure for Shino ware, making him the first to be so recognized.