Yuzamashi, bowl or vessel for cooling the water before it is poured onto the sencha tea leaves. By allowing to cool the water to the right temperature for the different tea sorts, different nuances in taste can be brought out.
Brown, fine Seto stoneware. Hand-shaped bowl of irregular egg-shape with a spout of sorts for pouring and an irregular but round foot ring typical for Masaki ware. The bowl is covered in a thick gray glaze with tiny air bubbles that have opened at the surface like pores and with very fine crackle.
Potter’s seal on hip: Masaki.
Japan, Meiji/Taisho era
H 2.5 x W 4.5 x D 4 in.
Excellent condition
Masaki Sozaburo (1800-1850) made pottery as a hobby in Seto and Ofuke kilns in the former Owari domain. His son Hanjiro was skilled at making delicate incense containers and sculptural ornaments, diverting from his father’s style. Hanjiro’s son Nanko continued in the family tradition, but is considered less talented and his work is usually not considered Masaki ware.
From the collection and estate of Michael Baum and Reiko Sakagami-Baum, former owners of the Man O’ War horse farm in Lexington, KY
