Important Work of Art
Korea
Joseon dynasty (16th century)
Acquired in 1965 (donated by the Homma family)
Korean tea bowls of this era were often referred to as ido-chawan (lit. “well tea bowls”) because of their deep, well-like appearance. They were often categorized into three types: ōido (a large and dignified shape), aoido (straighter lines and a rough outer appearance) and koido (a smaller, curved shape).
The highlights of this ōido tea bowl are the slight distortion of the body from gentle wheel throwing, the kairagi artistic cracking of the glaze on its base, and cloud-like blotches around the midsection. The appearance of the bowl changes depending on the angle at which it is appreciated, and reveals character in its simplicity. It is said to have been highly prized in the world of wabi-cha, a style of tea ceremony that emphasizes the spirit of simplicity. It was also a prized treasure of the Sakai family of the Shōnai Domain.