Korean Gohon Chawan Tea Bowl for Japanese Market Joseon Dynasty

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A ceramic chawan (tea bowl) circa 17-18th century fired in the Busan kiln in Korean specifically for the Japanese market. … Read more A ceramic chawan (tea bowl) circa 17-18th century fired in the Busan kiln in Korean specifically for the Japanese market. The kilns were run by the So clan that ruled Tsushima Island to fill the order from Japan with detailed preference. Gohon therefore gets its name from the order forms and catalogue books (gohon) that tea masters used in Momoyama period. The production lasted for about eight years from 1637-1717.
The bowl has an upright conical shape supported by a high foot ring. The surface was covered in a white slip glaze over a grey background. The glaze was applied in an intentional uneven wabi-sabi manner and shows scattered pooling, especially along the encircling lines on the upper and lower body. There are also many small burst spots from the firing process, adding a subtle texture to the piece. The slightly inverted foot ring was notched and partially glazed with a crawling effect, exposing the clay underneath. The surface of the tea bowl displays significant patina: there is noticeable tea stains and crackle lines in the interior well and two superb historical kintsugi vein repairs, further adding beauty to this piece.
The bowl calls to mind the Hagi ware from the historical Nagota province as it shares similar aesthetic characters. Many early Japanese kilns were established by Korean potters brought back to Japan in the "pottery wars" of 1592 and 1597-98. Hagi ware was believed to be founded by two Korean brothers, Ri Shakko and Ri Kei around 1604.
The bowl comes with a fabric wrap and a tomobako box, but both are clearly from later period. See less