MATSU TAKA ZU (by Zenshoh Yamaoka)

diameter: 4.92inch (12.5cm) height: 3.15inch (8.0cm), standard matcha bowl size
Sophisticated Kyo Yaki (Kyoto Style)
Made by Zenshoh Yamaoka at Zenshoh Kiln

(Please note: Because this item is made-to-order, it takes approximately 3 weeks from the time you order this item until the date it is shipped from Kyoto, Japan. Once ordered, any order change or cancel can NOT be accepted. If you order this item with other items, they will be shipped together.)

NIJO Castle is not only a Japanese national treasure but also a world heritage site listed in 1994. All of the 954 paintings on FUSUMA sliding doors and murals called SHOHEKIGA at NIJO Castle are designated as nationally important cultural properties. The SHOHEKIGA paintings are from the KANO school, which was the largest and most significant school in the history of Japanese painting. The KANO school flourished for about 400 years from the 15th century to 19th century, and was always at the center of the Japanese art world. (for more info; NIJO Castle, SHOHEKIGA Paintings, KANO School)

We, Hibiki-an and Zenshoh Yamaoka, who is the leading expert of paintings derived from masterpieces in the middle ages, cooperated and arranged a series of Matcha Bowls featuring SHOHEKIGA paintings of NIJO Castle.

It is said that MATSU TAKA ZU, painted by Tanyu KANO in 1626, is most representative of SHOHEKIGA paintings at NIJO Castle. MATSU of this name means Japanese pine tree, TAKA means hawk, and ZU means painting in Japanese. Japanese pine tree is auspicious in Japan, and the first Tokugawa SHOGUN emperor, Ieyasu especially loved hawking.

All paintings in NIJO Castle were comprehensively and completely designed to stage each hall and room depending on the different roles of each location. MATSU TAKA ZU was painted for the OHIROMA great hall.
OHIROMA great hall, where the SHOGUN emperor had an audience with the DAIMYO vassal lords, is decorated with paintings that honored the SHOGUN emperor. When the DAIMYO vassal lords looked up to see the SHOGUN emperor, they felt as if the great pine tree arced above the SHOGUN emperor. And the lordly hawk keenly glowered down at the DAIMYO vassal lords. The paintings effectively convey the dignity of the SHOGUN emperor of the past.
This MATSU TAKA ZU is the centerpiece of the paintings at OHIROMA great hall.

This Matcha Bowl is coated with pigment containing real gold over the entire outside surface. Then this is painted exquisitely and precisely and it recalls features of the KANO school at this age faithfully.

This Matcha Bowl will certainly please the viewer with the features of the KANO school, vivid and dynamic composition, exquisite and delicate brushwork and use of color, efficient white space, and so on.