Large bowl, in the shape of a paulownia lief, underglaze iron and gold overglaze.

Collection NumberA002624
TitleLarge bowl, in the shape of a paulownia lief, underglaze iron and gold overglaze.
DateEdo period, 1865
Artist, Kiln, Workshop高橋道八（三代）　TAKAHASHI Dohachi 3rd
Name of prefectures & citiesKyoto prefecture, Japan
Description of works【Gold overglaze enables realistic rendition】
This bowl, shaped as a paulownia leaf, was made by TAKAHASHI Dohachi III, a master ceramist of Kyo (Kyoto) ware in the late Edo period. This bowl represents a leaf changing its colors as the season transitions into fall. Leaf veins are meticulously incised using the sembori (carved line) technique. The effective use of gold overglaze enhances the brilliance of the bowl, achieving incredibly nuanced depth at the same time.
The Dohachi family commenced the production of ceramics in the mid-18th century CE at the Awataguchi Kilns in Kyoto. Dohachi II, also known as NINNAMI Dohachi, is considered the most skilled Kyo ware artist of the final Edo period. He developed Kyo porcelain at a studio in the Gojozaka district in Kyoto. Together with Dohachi III, he visited the kilns operated by the Kishu Tokugawa family and the Sanuki Matsudaira family to provide technical training. This bowl’s style is modeled after the works created by Dohachi II in his final years. The box accompanying this piece has an inscription in sumi ink reading, “Genchi 2 kinotoushi chushun Kachutei Dohachi” (the second year of the Genchi era [1865 CE], the year of the ox in the Zodiac calendar, March, Kachutei [pseudonym] Dohachi).

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