Shino Tea Bowl

Shino glaze originated in the Mino region of Japan during the Momoyama period. It is a white glaze characterized by a high feldspar content and is one of the most representative traditional glazes in Japanese ceramics, often referred to as "White Shino" or "White Tenmoku." Shino glaze is the most warmly white glaze in ceramics. It doesn't pursue the exquisite flawlessness of porcelain but utilizes a large amount of feldspar minerals, which transform at high temperatures into a thick, soft, and matte layer. • Texture Like Snow: The glaze, with its extremely high feldspar ratio, gives the ware a "thick, soft, and matte" texture. This white is not cold but is as warm and lustrous as fresh snow in winter. • A Touch Left by Fire: When feldspar encounters trace amounts of iron in the clay, a faint orange-red hue (hi-iro) appears along the edges of the glaze. This is a warm imprint left by the fire before it departed, like a mark on the snowy landscape. • The Beauty of Imperfection: The surface has a slightly misty appearance with tiny pores (pinholes). Thicker glazed areas exhibit a flowing quality, resembling melting snow. Shino glaze is highly susceptible to "tea staining," and its color deepens to an antique, warm luster over time with use. Common phenomena: • Crackle glaze (fine crazing) • Glaze pores (due to gas release) • Localized scorch marks or fire marks • Hi-iro (orange-red edges or spots) • Semi-liquid state in thick glazed areas • Fingerprints • Traces from shaping These phenomena are normal characteristics of Shino glaze and not flaws. Common Shino Glaze Classifications: • White Shino: Primarily white, with less "fire color." • Aka Shino (Red Shino): Pronounced orange-red (hi-iro) effects. • Nezumi Shino (Mouse Shino): Tends towards a gray tone. • E-Shino (Painted Shino): Underglaze iron-painted decoration. 🌕 Work | Shino Tea Bowl Number | B00004 ❤️ Title | A Tiny Dust Forms a Realm 🌿 Glaze Realm | Little by little, without rushing; When looking back, it has become a world. 🌿🍵 Appreciating the Glaze Realm | Tiny specks like dust, gathered to form a world. ■ Item: Tea Bowl ■ Dimensions: Diameter 13cm / Height 10cm / Weight 630g ■ Craftsmanship: Hand-pinched / Gas Fired / Shino Glaze 🔥 Tips for Selection ● Flat Rim ● Composition of the Design ● Glaze Variations ● Comfortable Grip 💧 Care Tips ■ Gentle brushing (to avoid scratches) ■ Avoid using detergents if possible (to prevent residual scents) ■ Air dry after use (to prevent dampness) 🪴 Shih Chi-Yao | Alchemist of Natural Glazes | Artist Introduction Teacher Shih Chi-Yao is a ceramic artist who perfectly blends a scientific spirit with artistic sensitivity. After graduating from the Faculty of Law at Waseda University in Japan, he returned to Taiwan and founded "Shih Chi-Yao Feldspar Pottery Studio." He brought the rigorous logical thinking of law into ceramic art and has dedicated over two decades to glaze research. With a precision akin to a laboratory, he has accumulated over 8,000 glaze test pieces and experienced more than 300 kiln firings, earning him the title "Glaze Scientist." His works are not merely demonstrations of skill but are the natural life force born from the collaboration of natural plant ashes, minerals, and the kiln's fire. ▎ Key Experiences • Professional Background: * Graduate of the Faculty of Law, Waseda University, Japan. * Founder of Shih Chi-Yao Feldspar Pottery Studio. • Representative Exhibitions: * 2012 | "Glazed Garments: Shih Chi-Yao Feldspar Pottery Solo Exhibition" held in Taipei and Taichung. * 2019 | "Anatta: Shih Chi-Yao Contemporary Ceramic Creation Exhibition" at Foguangyuan Art Museum. * International Exchange: Frequently invited to participate in the "Taiwan International Tea Bowl Festival" and various international craft exchange exhibitions. ▎ Creative Characteristics • The Natural Alchemy of Plant Ash Glazes: Teacher Shih excels at harnessing nature's gifts, transforming ashes from longan, lychee, pineapple wood, and straw into unique glazes after intricate washing and grinding. This imbues his works with deep, warm hues that are close to the earth. • The Ultimate Craftsmanship of Feldspar Pottery: Building upon the foundation of "Shino ware," he has progressively developed a personalized style of feldspar pottery. He pursues a delicate balance between "human control" and "natural formation" in his glazes, allowing each piece to display rich layers depending on light and angle. • Classic Series Vocabulary: *【Mystic Obsidian Series】: Deep, restrained, and mysterious feldspar luster pottery. * 【Falling Leaves Season】: Tea ware and art pieces with layered colors depicting the natural rhythm of autumn leaves falling. • Extension from Practicality to Zen Aesthetics: In addition to exquisite daily tea ware, his works extend to ceramic plates and large-scale linear sculptures. Recent works incorporate philosophical reflections on "Anatta" (non-self) and "Emptiness," presenting a natural aesthetic that embraces fire marks and eschews absolute symmetry. ▎ Creative Philosophy "Ceramics is a life practice of constant dialogue with nature." Teacher Shih believes that every glaze mixture, every kiln firing experiment, is a deep exchange with nature, earth, and fire. Through repeated experimentation, minerals and plant ashes reveal their most primal life force in the flames, mirroring the artist's true understanding of "control" and "letting go" within the work. →⚠️ Purchase Notes 🌿 Most works in this gallery are purely handmade. The glaze color, ash deposit, and texture of each piece will vary, which is the natural charm and uniqueness of wood-fired pottery. 🌿 Dimensions are measured by hand, and there may be an error of approximately 0.5-1 cm, which is within the normal range. 🌿 Minor marks from the handcrafting process may be retained, which is a natural expression of handmade items. 🌿 Ash deposits, mineral specks, or rough glaze surfaces during wood firing are natural phenomena and not flaws. 🌿 Product photos may vary due to lighting conditions. Please refer to the actual product for the actual color. If you have any questions about the work, please feel free to send us a private message. — 🌿 TAS Art Gallery, Recorder of Pottery and Fire —