Exhibition
Past Exhibition 2025-26
The Miracle of Black:
Secrets of the Yōhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl
April 5 – June 22, 2025
National Treasure,
Tea bowl, Yōhen Tenmoku, known as “Inaba Tenmoku”, Jian ware
12th-13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
Important Cultural Property,
Tea bowl with black glaze, Yuteki (“oil spot” pattern) Tenmoku type, Jian ware
12th-13th century, Southern Song dynasty, China
Important Cultural Property,
Tea-leaf jar with design of Mt.Yoshino in overglaze enamels, by Nonomura Ninsei
17th century, Edo period, Japan
Writing box with design of the moon and waves in maki-e, by Shimizu Kuhei
17th century, Edo period, Japan
Designated Important Art Object,
Katana, signed “Minamoto Kiyomaro / A day in 8th month of 1847”, by Minamoto Kiyomaro
1847, Edo period, Japan
(Accompanied by sword mounting of han-dachi type with black-lacquered scabbard with shaved ray-fish skin, with a hilt wrapped in oguramaki style, dated to Meiji period, 19th century)
Yōhen Tenmoku tea bowls rank among the supreme masterpieces of Chinese ceramics, and only three examples survive anywhere in the world, including one in the Seikado collection. This exhibition focuses on the mysterious black that is the base for the bowl’s shimmering allure, and looks at a diverse range of East Asian artworks that make powerful use of the color black, including ceramics, lacquerware, and Japanese swords. Join us on an exploration of the hidden mysteries of the Yōhen Tenmoku tea bowl based on the latest research.
