Tea Bowl with Design of Moon and Autumn Grasses 1815 - 1835

This tea bowl, decorated with a design of the moon and autumn grasses, was made by Eiraku Hozen in 19th-century Japan. It's created from a humble material: clay. But through skillful manipulation, it transcends its origins. The bowl's warm, speckled surface is a testament to the potter's mastery of firing techniques. The monochromatic scene, painted with delicate precision, captures the serene beauty of a moonlit autumn night. Imagine the potter carefully mixing his pigments, each brushstroke a deliberate act of bringing nature's tranquility to a functional object. Think about the labor involved: the digging and preparation of the clay, the skillful throwing of the bowl on the wheel, the painting of the decoration, the alchemy of the firing process. This tea bowl, a seemingly simple object, embodies a wealth of cultural meaning, and invites us to appreciate the artistry inherent in everyday life.