Tenmoku

Tenmoku refers to a type of glaze and the pottery that uses it, originating from China during the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The name "Tenmoku" is actually Japanese and was applied to these wares when they were imported to Japan, meaning "heavenly gaze." These ceramics are characterized by their distinctive, often dark, iron-rich glazes.

The most iconic Tenmoku glazes are deep black or dark brown, sometimes with areas of reddish-brown. A common feature is the "hare's fur" effect, where streaks of lighter brown or tan appear within the dark glaze, resembling the fur of a rabbit. Other variations include the "oil spot" pattern, where small, circular metallic flecks are scattered across the surface, and "partridge feather," which exhibits a more mottled or speckled appearance.

These glazes are typically achieved by using a high iron content in the glaze formula and firing the pottery at high temperatures in a reduction atmosphere. This process causes the iron to crystallize and form the characteristic patterns. Tenmoku wares were highly prized for their aesthetic beauty and were often used for tea ceremony vessels, such as tea bowls (chawan). The simplicity and depth of the glazes were considered to complement the ritual of tea drinking.