Goma Five-Sided Matcha Bowl

The Goma Five-Sided Matcha Bowl is a work shaped by both the artist's hand and the nature of the kiln. Rising from a pentagonal foot, the form opens into five gently flowing panels, each one extending upward with an organic rhythm that balances structure and movement. 

Goma is a classic of Bizen ware, its name derived from its resemblance to scattered sesame seeds. This pattern emerges as wood ash, carried upward by the kiln's draft, settles and melts across the surface of the vessel. To draw out its distinctive landscape, the bowl was deliberately placed in the front row of the uppermost shelf, where ash falls most generously. 

Mori Toshiaki employed a two-stage firing process: the bowl was first fired in the climbing kiln in a stable position to set its form, then fired a second time in the kakugama, a single-chamber kiln, where it was exposed to the full intensity of the ash. This careful sequencing ensures that the vessel holds its shape even as the surface continues to transform.

The pooled rivulets of ash that gather along the rim, known as tamadare, were formed by setting the bowl at a slight forward tilt during the second firing, allowing molten ash to flow and collect at the edge. Because the bowl rested on three shell supports during this process, the foot also bears subtle imprints from the shells.

Beyond the firing process, the form itself carries meaning. The design reflects Mori's engagement with the philosophical balance of yin and yang, in which straight lines and a restrained tone speak to yin, while curves and the five sides of the pentagon carry the energy of yang. In this bowl, opposing principles meet in a single, resolved form—a reflection of his deep respect for the Bizen tradition and his willingness to explore new possibilities within it.

Mori Toshiaki

Among the esteemed lineages known as the Bizen Rokusei, or Six Ancient Kilns of Bizen ware, Hozan Kiln stands out as a venerable institution. Mori Toshiaki, the 19th-generation successor, masterfully upholds this rich tradition while pioneering new possibilities. Balancing his responsibilities at the kiln with his personal artistic pursuits, Mori conducts extensive research and explores innovative approaches in both shaping and firing techniques, pushing the boundaries of Bizen ware.

Bizen Ware

Bizen ware is a traditional stoneware produced in the Imbe area of Okayama Prefecture. It is one of the oldest ceramics in Japan, and is made using the yakishime technique, in which pieces are fired at high temperatures without glaze to make them durable and water-resistant.

Bizen ware is called "the art of clay and fire" for the exquisite colors and patterns produced by the kiln's flames, and is characterized by its minimalist, wabi sabi design.