Born in Tokyo, Ishii Takahiro (b. 1977) is a ceramic artist who reinterprets Bizen ware for a contemporary audience. He trained under the celebrated Bizen master Kakurezaki Ryūichi, whose influence informs his contemporary and sculptural Bizen ceramic style.

This contemporary tea bowl features a distinctive glaze and an expressive lip that recalls the rich textures of rain-soaked tree bark. The glaze firing has imparted a warm, nuanced hue, creating an inviting interior ideal for preparing and appreciating matcha. The bowl is surprisingly lightweight, enhancing its tactile appeal.

Each aspect of the piece offers a layered sensory experience, visual and textural, encouraging meditation through use. The kodai (foot) is thoughtfully formed, providing both a seamless visual appearance, balance, and a secure, comfortable grip. It is well suited for daily use as well as in a contemporary Japanese tea ceremony context (chanoyu).

Artist Biography

1977 Born in Tokyo
2000 Studied under Kakurezaki Ryuichi
2006 Became independent. Started pottery making in Hakone, Kanagawa prefecture
2012-2014 Held "Mitate Time." A modern tea ceremony at Ebisu Mitsukoshi Department Store
2012. "Meet TRAD," an art fair in 2012 at Kyoto
2013 Contemporary Japanese Design in Milano Salone
2014 Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI)

"Modern Tea Ceremony Project" in New York

A representative of the Buds of Cool Japan
2014 Rooms Tokyo H.P.FRANCE at Yoyogi National Stadium
2014 Bizen Big Tea Ceremony in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture
2014 Ebisu Mitsukoshi 20th Anniversary Project: "SEVEN SENSES" at Ebisu Mitsukoshi Department Store
2015 "Evening Time" at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Department Store

2016 "Praying Beauty -reincarnation-" at Shibuya Seibu
2016 "TeaISM" at Ginza Mitsukoshi Department Store
2017 "Fresh Green Time" at Shinjuku Isetan Department Store
2017 Kenshinan Gallery
2018 Contemporary ceramics at Salon Momosei
2018 Exhibited at Kei Memorys Gallery

2019 Contemporary Tea Ceremony Style Exhibition “YURAKU” Aichi prefecture