Japanese Floral Shigaraki Bowl
Handcrafted in Shigaraki by Japanese ceramic artist Norikazu Ogawa (小川記一), this intimate, one-of-a-kind bowl takes its form and decoration from the natural beauty of a flower.
The gently undulating rim opens into a soft floral silhouette, giving the bowl the appearance of a blossom viewed from above. Across the surface, warm ivory glaze meets deep iron-brown tones, with the irregular transitions between the two emphasizing the movement of the hand and the character of the firing.
A loosely drawn flower motif appears on the exterior, its simple, gestural lines complementing rather than competing with the floral shape of the vessel itself. Inside, the contrasting glazes spread in broad, organic passages, creating an abstract composition that echoes petals unfolding.
Rooted in the earthy character of Shigaraki ware, the bowl balances rustic texture with a sense of delicacy. Its irregularities—the softly shifting rim, painterly glaze, and spontaneous drawing—give the piece an expressive warmth characteristic of handmade Japanese ceramics.
A small functional vessel with a distinctly sculptural presence, suitable for seasonal dishes, sweets, condiments, or simply appreciated on its own.
Ogawa's potter's mark is engraved on the underside of the bowl.
Dimensions: W 5.25" x L 5.25" x H 2.5"
Food-safe.
Handp-crafted in Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
About Norikazu Ogawa: Norikazu Ogawa is a Japanese ceramic artist from Shigaraki, one of Japan’s most celebrated pottery regions. Working alongside his father, Kenzo Ogawa, and inspired by his grandfather Seihō’s revival of traditional tea ceramics, Ogawa creates functional vessels that emphasize the close relationship between food and tableware — reflecting the philosophy that “tableware is the clothing of cuisine.”
Born in Shigaraki in 1965, Ogawa studied ceramics at the Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute and later specialized in small ceramic forms at the Shigaraki Ceramic Research Institute. In 1993, he joined the Ogawa Kenzo Kiln after becoming independent alongside his father. His work has received notable recognition, including the 22nd Miho Museum Foundation Award in 2011, and in 2013 he was certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Shigaraki ware.
