Tokoname Shudei Kensui Water Pot, Japanese Ceramic, 1960s

This characterful kensui is made from warm, reddish-brown shudei clay, a classic Tokoname material.

Dimensions: height 22 cm, diameter 16 cm.

In the Japanese tea ceremony, a kensui is used to collect and discreetly dispose of the rinse water from tea bowls and teapots. It’s a functional tea utensil, yet also a beautifully sculptural object in its own right.

The surface is decorated with two engraved sumo wrestlers, drawn in fluid, expressive lines. The matte, earthy shudei finish and subtle texture give the piece a calm depth and a strong handcrafted presence.

Today it works just as well as an authentic tea ceremony tool as it does as interior decor: use it as a vase, as a base for a simple ikebana arrangement, or as a sculptural accent in a tokonoma-inspired display alongside ceramics or bonsai.

The pot bears two maker’s marks: an incised calligraphic signature and a square kiln stamp.