Oribe-yaki

Oribe-yaki is a style of Japanese ceramics pioneered by Furuta Oribe (late 16th to early 17th century) - a samurai and one of the most famous masters of the Way of Tea - a student of the renowned Sen no Rikyū. Furuta Oribe introduced revolutionary changes to the subdued and modest tea ceremony style preferred by his teacher. Oribe ceramics features bold, asymmetrical forms and simple decorations - geometric patterns or those inspired by nature - such as checked patterns, squares, and simplified depictions of bamboo, grasses, or flowers. Underglaze designs in black or dark brown on a light background are complemented by the glazes applied to the vessels - usually a deep green copper glaze or black. The glaze is applied to the vessels in specific areas and allowed to flow naturally, emphasizing an aesthetic of spontaneousness and naturalness. This pottery was particularly popular in the tea ceremony, where its expressiveness and departure from the earlier, more austere aesthetic were highly valued. To this day, the Oribe style is considered one of the most recognizable and innovative movements in the history of Japanese ceramics.