KURUMI-ZU

Though not quite what I would call an actual Raqqa or Persian glaze, this turquoise glaze reminds me of ancient Egyptian faience in its color and surface but this pot is not only modern but Japanese as well. This mizuzashi which is described as "Persian blue" was made by Koyama Kihei who after graduating from Kyoto City University of Arts went on to study with two Ningen Kokuho; Tomimoto Kenkichi and Kondo Yuzo. In 1956 he rejoined his alma matter as a professor where he remained until his retirement in 1996 while exhibiting all along the way with a specialty in this blue glaze as well as black and white porcelain, mishima work, yuriko underglaze red and many other techniques. This particular mizusashi is decorated around the form with the castanea crenata, the Japanese chestnut (kurumi-zu) in black slip under the glaze which together with the copper in the glaze creates a more blue than black appearance to the overall design. As I mentioned the chestnut design is a black slip which has had sgraffito accents added to the decoration to flush out the chestnuts that are articulating the form which is completed with a custom made black lacquer lid. 

Though it may be difficult to tell from only this image, Koyama Kihei specialized in ceramics for the tea ceremony and was the recipient of a number of awards and accolades during his tenure as professor where he divided his time making pottery, teaching and writing for the Silk Road Research Society (not 100% sure of the translation) regarding Mid-Eastern art and pottery. Though I may not agree 100% with the box description, this pot does have the feel of being influenced by pots along the Silk Road and the addition of the Japanese chestnut anchors the piece as a thoroughly Japanese pot, a rather intriguing mizusashi to assemble a tea ceremony around.