Matsubayashi HosaiXIV
Asahi Chaire by Matsubayashi HosaiXIV
Asahi-yaki began at the end of the Momoyama period (early 17th C.) near Kyoto when the potter Tosaku started to use the Asahi stamp. The Tea master Kobori Enshu (1579-1647) was a patron of the Asahi kilns. Asahi became known as one of his 'Seven Kilns.' Now we find the 15th generation in the Asahi potters line, and this graceful chaire tea caddy was made by the 14th generation Asahi potter Matsubayashi HosaiXIV/Yukoan (1921-). Yukoan is the name he took in 1995 when his son became the 15th generation Hosai. The chaire has a quiet personality and a full oval form with a soft beige glaze; Hosai's finger impression are left near the base where he held the chaire while applying the glaze. This style of Asahi is known as hanshi and has a color like 'the sky before sunrise' and will change with use. There are quite a few places on the piece to enjoy the fine tsuchi-aji ('clay flavor'--the clay Hosai used was dug by previous generations). The inside of the chaire is also glazed. Matsubayashi himself must have taken great satisfaction in this chaire for it comes with not one but two silk brocade shifuku pouches. In perfect condition with a signed box, stamped on base, 8.5cm.tall and 6.5cm.across, with a bone lid. Please note Hosai was the 14th generation but signed his boxes 74th---it is a sort of 'legend.'
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
