天目型, Tenmoku-gata: Tenmoku Type Tea Bowls (抹茶茶碗)

天目型, Tenmoku-gata: Tenmoku Type

The form is typically well-shaped with an indented finger-groove just beneath the rim. The rims are sometimes covered with a band of metal, often silver. Since the temmoku hare's fur and oil spot glazes needed to be fired hot and cooled slowly, the glazes sometimes moved, collecting in thick and drippy lower edges.

The images below come from several museums. Click on an image to visit its original page for more detailed information.


Mino or Seto ware temmoku tea bowl

Mino or Seto ware temmoku tea bowl, Freer|Sackler Galleries


Kyoto ware temmoku tea bowl

Kyoto ware temmoku tea bowl, Freer|Sackler Galleries


Satsuma ware temmoku style tea bowl

Satsuma ware temmoku style tea bowl, Ryumonji kilns, Freer|Sackler Galleries


Chinese Southern Song Dynasty Tea Bowl

Chinese Southern Song Dynasty Tea Bowl, 13th century, National Gallery of Art


Tea Bowl Fused to the Interior of a Saggar

Jian-Ware Tea Bowl Fused to the Interior of a Saggar, Harvard Art Museums

Temmuko bowls, with their small feet, can tip, as this one did in it's protective saggar when it was being fired. To prevent this tipping during use, they are placed on special stands to help hold them upright.


天目台, Tenmokudai: Tea Bowl Stand

天目台, Tenmokudai: Tea Bowl Stand, Minneapolis Institute of Arts


Large Tea Bowl with Indented Lip
Large Tea Bowl with Indented Lip

Large Tea Bowl with Indented Lip and Decoration of Plum Blossom and Three Phoenixes in Flight, Chinese, 13th-14th century, Harvard Art Museums

time well spent

closeup view Jack Troy cup, links to Jack Troy artist page

time to explore

link to newest page of ceramic artist links, including link to Scott Parady, pictured

time flies

Link to monthly image blog