Potter: Ohi Choraku, 8th successor of the Ohi style

Approximate size: W4.8″ by H3.1″ or 10.4 by 7.9cm

This attractive chawan or ceremonial tea bowl was made by Ohi Chozaemon VIII, who’s name was Choraku (1902-1991). The Chozaemon family of potters has been associated with the world of Chanoyu or the Japanese tea ceremony since the 17th century. The Ohi style is an offshoot of the primary Kichizaemon Raku line.

By using special picks and tools, the Ohi master chips away moist clay until bowls or cups has taken form. The glazes are magnificent earth tones, and Black glazing is often applied as with Raku but the trademark, amber glaze is the epitome of the style.

A thick, now crystallised green glaze has been poured over the Ameyu or amber coloured glaze for which the Ohi style is known. Ohi ware like Raku, fired in near identical fashion; is quite light to the touch. This chawan is certainly going to delight the new owner.

The Chozaemon lineage started with Hodoan (1631-1712), apprentice to the fourth heir of the Raku family of potters. In 1666, he accompanied Senso Shoshitsu (1622-1697), the fourth heir of the Urasenke school of Japanese tea ceremony, to the city of Kanazawa, the capital of the Maeda clan’s province, Kaga (current Ishikawa prefecture). In the village of Ohi, the first Chozaemon established a kiln which still produces superior tea ceremony wares and since the Meiji Restoration, ceramics for everyday living, too.

The chawan has no chips or cracks and remains in excellent condition. The seal of ‘Ohi’ is stamped on the bottom together with Choraku’s personal stamp. Comes with the original paulownia wooden box with calligraphy on the lid. Note the box has wear on the inside due to age.

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Ohi ware has become well known for its use of Ame-gusuri or amber glaze. Being a Raku style, it was low-fired and is quite light and soft in the hands. Tea bowls or Sake cups are sculpted from a single piece of clay and no potter’s wheel is used. When Senso Soshitsu (1622-1697), the Urasenke Grand Tea Master, was invited to Kanazawa in 1666, the founder of Ohi ware, Chozaemon visited Kanazawa together. Chozaemon was the highest apprentice of Raku Ichinyu. In 1686, he built a new kiln in Kanazawa and started Ohi ware.