Shino tea bowl (chawan) by Ito Mayama, 1952

This Mino chawan, signed Ito Mayama, is covered with a pale, slightly ivory-toned Shino glaze, punctuated by the small surface irregularities characteristic of this tradition. Its walls bear a painted underglaze design that is floral rather than calligraphic, executed in a blue-toned oxide that contrasts delicately with the pale ground. This simple, restrained plant motif reflects the spirit of wabi-cha, in which nature is suggested rather than represented realistically.

The form is well balanced: the incurving rim retains the matcha foam and feels pleasant against the lips. The exposed, well-proportioned foot (kōdai) provides stability and allows the bowl to be handled comfortably during the tea ceremony. Measuring 8 cm high and 10.5 cm in diameter, it is a versatile size suited to both summer and winter use.

The piece is accompanied by its original tomobako, inscribed 「五白梨茶碗」 (Gohaku-nashi chawan), given as “white Shino tea bowl,” together with Mayama’s signature 真山 and red seal. The inscription inside is dated 22 May 1952 (Shōwa 27), placing the bowl within the post-war revival of Japanese ceramics.

Ito Mayama, a potter working in the Mino tradition, continued the legacy of Shino glazes, the first Japanese white glazes to emerge in the late sixteenth century. Closely associated with the wabi-cha established by Sen no Rikyū, Shino embodies an aesthetic of restraint, accepted imperfection and naturalness that continues to appeal to enthusiasts of chanoyu and contemporary design.