Yohen Kohiki Tea Bowl

There may be no other work that more fittingly expresses “nature” than this work. The Yohen Kohiki Tea Bowl features soft, cloudy kohiki white, accented with shades of red, deep brown hues that blend with the scorched marks like moss-covered rocks, and vibrant green streaks of glass, all harmonizing within the bowl as they shift from the interior to the rim, body, and foot. The varying expressions create a sense of balance, evoking the feeling of standing in the mountains and gazing upon the natural landscape.

The word “nature” also perfectly suits the artist, Kai Tsujimura. Having lived in the mountains from a young age and grown up observing his ceramic artist father at work, it seems only natural that Kai would eventually carve out his own path in the mountains and devote himself to the kiln. The wide range of his artistic style is a characteristic of his work, but also undoubtedly the result of sincerely pursuing what he wishes to express.

The diverse expressions of the piece seem to reflect landscapes the artist has actually seen and experienced. Like taking a deep breath in the mountains, this tea bowl invites one to engage all five senses and enjoy a moment of tranquility.