Bizen black marbled tea bowl

This is a Bizen black-nerikomi (kneaded clay) bowl by Naoki Yokoyama, an artist captivated by the infinitely changing expressions of Bizen ware. Focusing on the raw character of the clay itself, the "natural nerikomi" technique—where various components are blended into a marble-like pattern without being fully mixed—is transformed by reduction firing into a blue-gray hue, revealing a fresh aesthetic. The surface, featuring a texture layered like washi paper, offers a gentle quality that allows one to appreciate the various particles that compose the earth. The silver-hued hidasuki (fire cord) in the interior glows with a bluish-white light when illuminated, showcasing a richness of expression that is as surprising as it is a testament to the vibrant vitality of the clay itself. Paper box
Diameter 9.1cm x Diameter 9.1cm x Height 9.1cm Naoki Yokoyama is the second son of Shusui Yokoyama. Inspired by the mystery of ceramics, he entered the Bizen Ceramic Art Center after graduating from high school in 1991. The following year, he apprenticed under Fumio Kawabata, and after four years of training, he became independent in 1996. He built his own climbing kiln in 2000. Using the natural nerikomi technique learned from his mentor, he creates flower vases, tea utensils, and sake vessels. He received the Prefectural Exhibition Incentive Award in 1999 and 2000. He has also been selected multiple times for the Tea Ceremony Molding Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Branch Exhibition. In 2003, he held a solo exhibition at a department store in Okayama.