Height: 4 1/4 inches (10.8 cm)
Diameter: 2 6/8 inches (6.8 cm)
Kawakita Handeishi (1878 - 1963)
Poetic name : Childhood

Provenance:

Azuma Gallery, New York

This teacup was acquired in the 80s, in Yokaigi, in Mie prefecture of Japan. It was purchased by my dealer who had lunch at the restaurant that used rare Handeishi’s dishes. This Shino type of milky thick glaze, enhanced by the innocent calligraphic blue flower motif, inspires the poetic name of: “Childhood”.

A brief history of Kawakita Handeishi
Handeishi grew up in a family of cotton merchants in Edo period. He was also the 16th generation of his family business, involved in electric, insurance and banking. His early childhood was highly influenced by art, poetry and Japanese Tea-Ceremony. Although he had received no formal training in pottery making, he built his first Raku kiln in the backyard of his estate in Tsu-Shi, in Mie-Ken, and later, a 5 chamber “Noborigama” kiln in Chitose Yama. He learned by constantly inviting all his famous friends over to make pottery in his kilns, among them were professional potters like Arakawa Toyozo, Kato Toukuro, Koyama Fujio etc.... Pottery making was a joyous leisure art for Handeshi; he only produced what amused him.