Miura Chikusen is a master craftsman of Kyoto ware, a tradition that has continued in Gojōzaka, Kyoto, since the Meiji period. The first Miura Chikusen (1853–1915) studied under Takahashi Dōhachi III and established his own kiln in 1883. He was skilled in a wide range of techniques, including sometsuke, shōzui, kinrande and shikie, and is particularly renowned for his exquisite works, such as sencha tea sets and pieces evoking the aesthetic sensibilities of the literati. He also harboured a deep interest in Chinese ceramics and devoted himself not only to production but also to ceramic research, including the translation of treatises on ceramics. The technical skills and aesthetic sensibilities of this first-generation master have been passed down through the generations, alongside the name ‘Chikusen’.

Miura Chikusen’s works naturally blend a longing for Chinese ceramics and a literati sensibility with the delicacy characteristic of Kyoto ware. In his sometsuke pieces, the delicate brushwork and use of negative space create a refreshing effect, whilst his kinrande and iroe works possess a calm dignity even amidst their lavish decoration. To me, these pieces appear less as vessels designed to flaunt technical prowess, and more as works of pottery that reveal their charm the more one quietly contemplates and uses them during tea ceremonies or sencha gatherings. I believe the great appeal of Miura Chikusen’s work lies in the way it subtly incorporates the sensibilities of the new Meiji era whilst cherishing traditional designs.