> >
> > The painting of Daruma is very simple, almost as if painted by a
> child.> >
> > The pot feels pretty un-used, as if it had been on a shelf for
all its life.
>> >
> > If anyone can help deciphering the inscriptions, please come
forth!
> >
>ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Here is the next step:

UPDATE one day later:
With the help of Robert we figured, this was not HAGI and most
probably not Hamada. But behold,read to the end.

I got this bowl a while ago from a friend, who told me the above
things and made it sound SOOOO important, like giving away the
greatest treasure on earth.
I treasure this teabowl anyway, be it Hamada or someone else.

Here is the next step in this story:
The stamp ASAHI gives the clue, this is ASAHI YAKI.

Now join my search:
Checkin around a little with ”ČAsahi Pottery”É, voila, here is a
clue
as to the connection of Hamada > Bernard Leach > the Asahi Kiln:

<> The first kiln, which was wood-fired, was made with three climbing
chambers, each six feet high, six feet wide and four feet deep. This
was the first of its type to be built in Britain, and was a disaster.
In 1922 Leach had to ask Tsuronosuke Matsubayashi to come from the
Asahi Pottery in Japan to re-build it. Matsu stayed for two years and
was a tremendous influence on the St Ives potters. His knowledge of
the chemistry of ceramics was a great help and something of an
innovation to Leach who had been concerned primarily with the
aesthetics of pottery rather than the technical aspects.<>
http://www.studiopottery.com/pots/02977b.html

Next I found this interesting LINK about many crafts and museums of
the Kansai area (just for a detour, if you have time)
http://www.kansai.gr.jp/KansaiWindowhtml/Collection/English/CategoryCo
de/CategoryCode_005007.html

From there to ASAHI POTTERY
<> The Asahi pottery has a history of 15 generations over four
centuries in the authentic tea land of Uji. At the Asahi Pottery
center, experience making pottery works from soil, with the molds of
cups, molds and plates. Shaped works will be shipped to you in about
two to three months upon completion. The pottery museum stores and
exhibits historic works, references and documents in an immaculate
condition. <>

Tea from Uji, that”Ēs what the poem on the bowl is about! HIT again!

Back to Matsubayashi, the potter from Asahi kiln.
<> Tsuronosuke Matsubayashi was born in the last decade of the
nineteenth century into a family of potters whose history of potting
goes back at least to the sixteenth century. Matsu claimed to
represent the 39th generation of the family that had controlled the
Asahi Pottery since its start. <>
http://www.studiopottery.com/potters/matsubayashitsuronosuke.html

The paintings on one of his dishes made me reflect on the leaves on
my chawan, looks very similar. The mark is very close to the one on
my chawan, and seems just a little different, maybe from pushing it
in the clay with an angle.
http://www.studiopottery.com/pots/03208b.html

Here is my chawan:
<snip, will download the pictures later>

Below is the Matsuyayashi dish with his leaf paintings.
<snip, check out the link>

http://www.studiopottery.com/pots/03208b.html

The live history of another potter lady, Katherine Pleydell-Bouverie
gives us the distinct connection with Hamada and Matsubayashi:
<> She stayed at the Leach Pottery for a year where she learnt in the
company of Leach, Shoji Hamada and Tsuronosuke MatsubayashiӀ <>
http://www.studio-pots.com/beano.htm

Reading about Michael Leach I found this:
<> Michael Leach, the second son of Bernard Leach, was born in Tokyo
in 1913. As a child, Michael was able to watch Shoji Hamada and
Tsuronosuke Matsubayashi, as well as his father and Michael Cardew
pot at St. Ives. However, Michael initially went to university and
taught biology before finally giving in to the urge to become a
potter in the late 1930's. <>
http://www.studio-pots.com/MichaelLeach.htm

There are more than 80 hits checking for Matsubayashi and Hamada, but
I think the point is proven, the two knew each other.
And the painting and stamp on my bolw bear some resemblance to
Matsubayashi”Ēs work.

From here I start checking the Japnese pages.

Asahi pottery (Asahi-yaki)
dates back to around 1600 and was one of the seven kilns favored by
Kobori Enshuu. Around 1650 one Matsubayashi Choobei gave it more
impetus and now we have the Matsubayashi in the 15th generation of
Matsubyashi Hoosai¾¾ĪÓĖ­ŗŲ.
The Asahi pottery is closely related to the fine tea of the Uji area
and the tea ceremony.
http://www.mitene.or.jp/~oono/tea03-51.html

Have a look at how the pottery is made.
http://www.wanogakkou.com/culture/040000/040200_asahi_rokuro.html

and back to the main page of Asahi-yaki.
Click on any of the square buttons to see more examples.
The page of KAMADASHI, taking the fired pieces out after the firing
is quite nice, you can also see Mr.Hoosai Matsubayashi beaming for
joy.
http://www.wanogakkou.com/culture/040000/040200_asahi_kamadashi.html
http://www.wanogakkou.com/culture/040000/040200_asahiyaki_kamadaki.htm
l
http://www.wanogakkou.com/culture/040000/040200_asahiyaki_top.html

No doubt, my pot is Asahiyaki and the mark proves it. How about the
signature of SHOO ¾±”””©
Could this be a Hamada Shoji in the end?

More about Hamada Shoji.
The simplicity of some of the plates reminds me of my Daruma face.
http://www.e-yakimono.net/html/hs-reference.html

I give up for now, have to ask Robert if he has samples of the Hamada
signature.
See you later.
Gabi san