Gold-leaf tea bowl "Kagutsuchi"

This is "Kagutsuchi," a new gold-glazed tea bowl by Toru Ichikawa, who made a stunning debut after studying under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. As part of his new "Kagutsuchi" series, this bold, latest creation is inspired by Kagutsuchi, the god of fire in Japanese mythology. Recalling the myth of Kagutsuchi—said to have been born by burning his mother, Izanami-no-Mikoto—the bowl features a striking, intense kairagi (crackle glaze) that pushes the shrinkage rate of the glaze to its absolute limit, as if the piece were being burned through. Often worshipped as a god of blacksmithing as well as fire, Kagutsuchi reflects Ichikawa’s own pride in the act of creation through fire—the essence of pottery. The piece features the signature precision-spaced shinogi (fluting) of the Kakurezaki school, which, combined with the full gold glaze, evokes the solemn atmosphere of a metalwork masterpiece. White glaze is trailed over the surface in streaks reminiscent of flowing clouds or smoke, creating a magnificent contrast where the wild, "Oni-Hagi" style texture created by the Kagutsuchi effect meets the metal-like body. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 13.9cm x 13.6cm x Height 11.2cm Toru Ichikawa was born in Tokyo. He began his apprenticeship under Ryuichi Kakurezaki in June 2011 and established his own studio in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, in January 2015.