KIKU 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.

KIKU ZU was painted by Naonobu KANO in 1626. KIKU of this name means chrysanthemum, and ZU means painting in Japanese. Chrysanthemum is not only the national flower of Japan, which is used as the family crest of the TENOH royal family, but is also one of the most auspicious symbols in Japan.

All paintings in NIJO Castle were comprehensively and completely designed to stage each hall and room depending on the different roles of each location. KIKU ZU was painted for the KUROSHOIN rooms.

KUROSHOIN rooms, where the SHOGUN emperor carried out everyday tasks with his followers, are decorated with relaxing, elegant, and gentle paintings of birds, flowers, trees, and so on in order to create an atmosphere of abundant fertility.
This KIKUZU is the paintings at a room of the KUROSHOIN rooms. This KIKU ZU is popular because of the relaxing, elegant, and gentle atmosphere, in contrast to the dynamism and dignity of MATSU TAKAZU and GUNKO ZU.

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.