Beautiful amber bowls
”Raku ware” usually refers to pottery made only by hand and paddle, but in a narrow sense it refers to works that were made under the 10 designated families of ”raku ware”, ”Senke jisshoku”.
Ohi-yaki pottery is ”raku ware” in the narrow sense.
At the beginning of the Edo period, the Kaga clan had invited the Sensoke of Urasenke the 4th as their tea master and the ”raku ware” potter Chozaemon accompanied him. Chozaemon stayed on in Kaga and continued making pottery, and was later given the surname Ohi from the region he resided in, and his name remains to this day, now known to be a distinguished family.
The main feature of Ohi-yaki is the amber-colored shine. Many of the pieces are of simple color and design, but its brilliance makes it stand out.
Ohi Museum with pieces from the past
The current generation Chozaemon Ohi graduated the Tokyo School of Fine Arts ( currently Tokyo University of the Arts) in 1949, became a ceramics artist and has won many awards with his works.
His work is highly appraised not only domestically, but in Asia, Europe, the U.S., and his pieces are owned by many museuCurrently he works with his son, Toshio Ohi who is also a designer and a potter.
”Ohi Museum” displays Ohi-yaki and tea tools of the past generations. Toshio Ohi guided us as he explained that the amber color differs according to the artist.
How to distinguish
”How can we distinguish a good tea bowl?” Nakata asked.
”You need a lot of experience to evaluate. And even with famous artists, not all works are good.” Chozaemon Ohi explained his insight of art philosophy.”
Nakata carved letters into a tea bowl that Chozaemon Ohi had created by hand. And Toshio Ohi finished off the inside of the bowl.
”I have sharpened my senses for judging things since youth. Things will merely pass you by unless you put your mind to experiencing different things.” Chozaemon Ohi commented.
Still actively creating pieces, it was apparent that his passion as an artist had not faded.
