he Pinnacle of Tea Ceremony Art
This is not merely a certified tea bowl; it is a Gohitsu (御筆) — a rare work where the artwork on the ceramic itself was personally executed by the head of a tea school. The stylized "Pine" and the "Longevity" (Ju) character were painted by the 14th Grand Master of Omotesenke, Jimyosai (Sosai), directly onto the clay before firing.
Key Highlights
Artist: Kato Yoshiemon (1932–2009), successor of the legendary Yasaka-gama kiln.
Hand-Painted by: Jimyosai, 14th hereditary Grand Master of the Omotesenke School.
Signature Mark: The bowl features the Grand Master's unique "Kyu" (丘) cipher painted in iron oxide, perfectly matching his official calligraphy on hanging scrolls and the box lid.
Auspicious Theme: "Matsu ni Ju-no-ji" — The Pine of Resilience and the Symbol of Long Life.
Detailed Provenance & Authentication
This lot represents a complete collector's set with ironclad documentation: Includes the Saku-i (Design Concept) leaflet, which explicitly states that the Grand Master "graciously granted" the design for this commemorative firing. Also includes the Seshu Keizu (Family Lineage Chart) of the Yasaka-gama kiln.
The Chawan: Traditional Shino-yaki with a rich, "citrus-skin" (yuzuhada) glaze. It bears the hand-painted mark of Jimyosai on the body and the impressed "Yoshi" seal of the artist on the base.
The Tomobako (Original Box): The exterior is signed and sealed by Kato Yoshiemon. The interior features a Hari-fuda (official label) with the Grand Master’s handwritten calligraphy and his personal Kao (signature rosettes).
Height: 9.0 cm
Width (Diameter): 11.5 cm
Weight: 382 g
Condition: Pristine, Museum quality. No chips, cracks, or repairs.
Investment Value
In the world of Japanese ceramics, a work hand-painted by an Iemoto (Grand Master) is significantly more valuable than one that is simply authorized. This "Gohitsu" status, combined with the technical mastery of Kato Yoshiemon, makes this bowl a "Holy Grail" for practitioners of the Omotesenke school and serious investors in Asian art.
Artist & Tradition
Kato Yoshiemon was the eldest son of the legendary Kato Jūemon and head of the Yasaka-gama kiln in Kani City, Gifu. His work is celebrated for reviving the aesthetic spirit of the Momoyama period. This bowl features the classic thick, milky Shino glaze with "citrus skin" texture and iron oxide underglaze painting, was fired for three full days in a single-chamber kiln to achieve its unique glaze depth.
