Kenkichi Tomimoto, A set of five sencha tea cup with plum design and iron painting

Kenkichi Tomimoto (1886-1963) is one of the leading ceramic artists of modern Japan.

He is one of the figures who established the status of the ceramic artist as an artist, rather than a craftsman potter of the pre-modern era.

Tomimoto's most appealing works are his original designs and masterful painting.

He is well known for his famous saying, "Never create a pattern from a pattern," and he devoted himself to creating truly creative designs based on sketches of natural objects, rather than skeletal patterns.

Tomimoto's work, born of the spirit of the modern age and the artist's personal originality, is the product of a true originality that cannot be found in any other period in the past.

This sencha bowl was produced during the period when Tomimoto was working in Chitose-Funabashi, Tokyo.

The design is clean and uncluttered, with a large amount of white space left, an underglaze blue plum pattern on the sides, and a band of iron painting around the base.

The inside of the base is inscribed with the character "富" (wealth).

On the back of the lid is the inscription "Autumn, 2,600 A.D.".

The year 1940 was the 2,600th anniversary of the accession to the throne of Emperor Jinmu, the first Emperor of Japan, as written in the Chronicles of Japan, and all of Japan was in a celebratory mood.

Tomimoto's own hand clearly states that this work was made in this memorable year.

The writing on the lid has faded due to use.

This is an item that we hope you will incorporate into your daily life as a vessel for celebrating the spring season.