Posted 8 years ago
racer4four
(620 items)
This beautiful and delicate bowl is by Japanese glass artist Horikoshi, and it arrived absolutely beautifully packed in it's tomobako.
The box itself has been handmade and the fastening cotton tape has been trapped in the base. Inside there is a length of saffron coloured cotton fabric to keep the bowl safe, and the bowl itself has been wrapped in tissue paper. A bookmark with Horikoshi's history is included.
The artist has signed the box on the the outside of the lid and has also written inside the lid. I can't interpret the calligraphy.
When packed, the box has been partially covered in a thick sheet of paper, neatly folded, and the tape has been tied in a traditional style.
Was the bowl worthy of such beautiful packaging? Of course!
A delicate white glass tea bowl, with a brown swirl, attached foot, and all covered in specks of silver dust.
Many Japanese glass artists make bowls and utensils specifically for the tea ceremony, and it appears this bowl shape, copied from traditional pottery ones, has been accepted as a worthy subject for glass artists.
Masahiro Horikoshi
Born in 1950, completed university art studies in 1987, and worked as a glass artist from then.
I have not been able to find out if he still practises, and I have found no information on any gallery collections by him since 1994.
I'm always amazed at the boxes. They are just as beautiful as what's inside :)
Thanks Mike. You are right: it was so much fun delicately undoing each part of the box and lifting the bowl out!
Love this kind of art
Such a lovely CHAWAN. ; )
The bowl is beautiful in form, texture and décor, Karen. Then looking at pics one and two it seems perfectly possible that the cover and ribbon were designed to complement the bowl.
Is it possible that such many layered wrapping is used to turn giving and receiving a gift into a ceremony.....in the same way that drinking tea is ceremonial?
Lucky girl!! I can't wait until I hit the lottery and can actually buy something in a box and know what it is. :)
Thanks Gruff for your love.
The art of packaging is a very Japanese one Mudwoman and most artisans will present their work in a very special box. I wish we did it to....A beautifully wrapped gift is more special somehow. Thanks for the thoughtful comment.
Chawan indeed Blade. Thanks!
Peggy such an eye you have. I think you are correct that the artist thought carefully about what ribbon and paper to use. There may be special thought given as this is a ceremonial piece but tomobako have been used for centuries by Japanese artists of all sorts to present their works I'm glad you like it!
Thanks again OGF! The box makes it more special!
stunning!!!
As always, Karen, your description is as much a treat as the thing itself that you describe. So another sublime layer of presentation, added to the presentation of the bowl, within the presentation of the box. I grow more and more alive to the Japanese aesthetic, so much due to you. Thank you.
You are way to generous to me K but thanks anyway. Reading your comments I know you are a word person; you have a very literal and flowing style and I am never confused by your comments (unlike mine which have at times caused people puzzlement or offense).
I have taken a while to really get the Japanese aesthetic but I'm glad to have shared it!
I absolutely second Katherine's and Mudwoman's comments :-)
Beautiful bowl and presentation box and writing!
Thanks so much Kyra, I really appreciate your comment.
Very beautiful!
Thanks Elisabeth :)