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The Tea Garden

Gongfu Ceremonial Teacups (Iwasaki - lotus bud & seed pod on porcelain)

Gongfu Ceremonial Teacups (Iwasaki - lotus bud & seed pod on porcelain)

Regular price $25.00 USD
Regular price Sale price $25.00 USD
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Iwasaki Tsunemasa also Kan-en (岩崎 常正 or 灌園, 1786–1842) was a Japanese botanist and woodblock artist (as well as a zoologist, entomologist and samurai of the Tokugawa shogunate). 

Woodblock printing  is a technique used widely throughout East Asia. Each image is created by carving a wooden block to leave only some areas and lines at the original level; it is these that are inked and show in the print, in a relief printing process. Carving the blocks is skilled and laborious work, but a large number of impressions can then be printed.  Iwasaki's book, "Honzō Zufu" is a rare and valuable compendium of plants dating from the late Edo period.  Some of his woodblock art has been reprinted by Kew Gardens and is available here.  

This porcelain lotus series includes lotus buds flowers and seed pod details from some of Iwasaki's larger works which I have infused into the glaze using and technique where images are printed using iron oxide and then fused into the glaze through an additional third low temperature firing

Nelumbo nucifera 莲花 Lián Huā, known by its common name in English as Lotus has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to calm the spirit, stop bleeding, and support digestion. Various parts of the plant are used: the lotus seed (莲子, lián zǐ) is valued for nourishing the heart and kidneys, the lotus leaf (荷叶, hé yè) is used to clear summer heat and the lotus root (藕, ǒu) is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine, enjoyed both raw and cooked for its crisp texture and health benefits.

 

note: shape and dimensions may vary slightly.  (they are hand made)

diameter: 2"
height: 2"
volume: approx. 4 oz

  • Hand Wash Only (no dishwasher)


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