Shiso-te yū Mizusashi, Water Container by Noma Gazan, Japan, 1970s

This mizusashi by Noma Gazan is a traditional water container used in the Japanese tea ceremony.

Dimensions: height 12 cm, width 22 cm, depth 22 cm.

The form is low and wide, with a softly rounded body and a generous opening. The lid sits flush and is finished with a small, organically shaped knob that feels comfortable in the hand.

The exterior is finished in Shiso-te yū glaze, a deep, warm colour that shifts between dark shiso purple, aubergine and red-brown, with occasional chestnut or mahogany-like highlights. Across the entire surface, a pronounced granular skin of glossy raised droplets and speckles creates a distinctive relief. Up close it feels richly tactile and detailed; from a distance it reads calm, dark and full of depth.

Along the rim and where the lid meets the body, the lighter clay subtly comes through, making the glaze tones stand out even more. The interior is smoother, in a soft grey-green tone that contrasts beautifully with the powerful exterior.

A rare, characterful piece—fully functional for tea practice, and equally striking as a sculptural interior accent.

The base bears an impressed maker’s seal in a square cartouche, paired with a small gourd (hyōtan) mark, as shown in the photos.

Condition: perfect.