Hello everyone, how are you doing?
Today, for the second part of our exhibition feature on Mr. Yoshinobu Morimoto’s new works, I would like to introduce his tea kaiseki series.
Rather than simply copying tea kaiseki utensils, this is an homage-based approach that respects the beauty and spirituality of the originals, while exploring how to express them through Bizen ware.
He developed these works by expanding upon the theme of "creative reproduction."
First, I would like to introduce the choshi (sake ewer) used in tea kaiseki.
While lacquerware or ironware are typically used for this purpose, ancient Bizen "Ibe-te" style choshi also exist, so this time he created them in both Hidasuki and Ibe-te styles.
It is interesting how the red of lacquerware is represented by Hidasuki, and the black of ironware by Ibe-te.
The original ancient Bizen Ibe-te choshi are said to have a hard, iron-like presence.
True to its status as a highly formal utensil, the design is meticulously crafted down to the smallest detail.
The joints at the rim, the construction of the handle, and the matching lid are all as carefully finished as a fine craft piece.
Perhaps it is precisely because these highly formal shapes are made with such intense focus that the witty playfulness of the lacquer-mimicking Hidasuki shines so brightly.
Next are the sake cups served during the ken shu (exchange of cups) after the simmered and grilled dishes.
Among these cups, the hexagonal Yellow Seto sake cup is considered to be of particularly high status.
While standard Yellow Seto hexagonal cups are typically mold-made, Bizen clay can look somewhat inorganic if molded, so he intentionally chose to shape them on the potter's wheel.
Rather than a perfect classical copy, like the choshi, this is an homage to a masterpiece.
He added clay after throwing it on the wheel to create the shape, resulting in a rounded, gentle form.
This is the Hidasuki hexagonal sake cup.
Proceeding from the premise that these are highly formal utensils, great care has been taken regarding the landscape (keshiki).
The coloring of the Hidasuki is strictly selected, and the placement of the straw is designed so it can be admired from any angle.
It has a different feel from the practicality-focused landscapes of the Muromachi period pieces featured the other day.
This is the hexagonal sake cup crafted in the Ibe-te style.
This piece features an intense yellow sesame glaze (goma), fired repeatedly—quite different from the Muromachi period pieces.
The clay slip gives the surface an iron-like texture, creating a magnificent, striking contrast between black and yellow.
Even the flow of the sesame glaze, the emergence of the scorched spots, and the depth of the landscape seen beyond are all calculated.
Sake utensils in the tea kaiseki series
These Bizen sake bottles serve as formal "oazuke" (serving) bottles.
This time, they are profound pieces worthy of the "oazuke" designation, with every aspect of their landscape carefully considered.