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MASTERPIECESof Japan
Photograph of Yōhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl (Inaba Tenmoku)

Yōhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl (Inaba Tenmoku)

曜変天目茶碗（稲葉天目）

National TreasureTenmoku tea bowl

National Treasure

Yōhen Tenmoku Tea Bowl (Inaba Tenmoku)

曜変天目茶碗（稲葉天目）

Type
Tenmoku tea bowl
Period and date
Southern Song dynasty
Collection:
Seikadō Bunko Library

03 — Overview

A tenmoku bowl whose black glaze transformed in the kiln into star-like spots with an iridescent sheen. Believed to have been made in Southern Song China, only three complete, authentic yōhen tenmoku are known — all in Japan, all National Treasures. This one, the “Inaba Tenmoku”, shows the pattern most clearly and is regarded as the finest.

04 — Object data

Designation
National TreasureSource ↗
Type
Tenmoku tea bowl
Category
Ceramics, Teaware
Ware
Yōhen tenmoku
Date
Southern Song dynasty
Place of origin
China
Material
Ceramic
Collection
Seikadō Bunko Library ↗
05 — Detail · Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) · By 座右宝刊行会 · Wikimedia Commons · Public domain

10 — Gallery

12 — Collection

Seikadō Bunko Library

Official website ↗

13 — Related objects

Photograph of Ido Tea Bowl named Kizaemon

Ido Tea Bowl named Kizaemon

Kizaemon Ido

Ido tea bowl· National Treasure

Photograph of Shino Tea Bowl named Unohanagaki

Shino Tea Bowl named Unohanagaki

Unohanagaki

Shino tea bowl — Momoyama· National Treasure

Photograph of Raku Tea Bowl named Fujisan

Raku Tea Bowl named Fujisan

Fujisan

Raku tea bowl — Edo· National Treasure

Photograph of Celadon Vase with Iron Spots (Tobiseiji)

Celadon Vase with Iron Spots (Tobiseiji)

飛青磁花生

Flower vase (yuhuchun bottle)· National Treasure

14 — Sources & references

  1. [1]
    曜変天目茶碗

    文化庁 国指定文化財等データベース · Government · Supports: Designation, Name

  2. [2]
    https://www.seikado.or.jp/collection/clay/001.html

    Museum · Museum · Supports: Collection, Description

  3. [3]
    Wikidata Q107045311

    Wikidata · Database · Supports: Name, Date, Maker, Collection · Accessed 2026-09-25

  4. [4]
    曜変天目茶碗 (静嘉堂文庫)

    Wikipedia（日本語版） · Encyclopedia · Supports: Description · Accessed 2026-09-25

  5. [5]
    File:Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum).jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  6. [6]
    File:Yohen Tenmoku Tea Bowl(Seikado).jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  7. [7]
    File:Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) 01.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

  8. [8]
    File:Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) 02.jpg

    Wikimedia Commons · Image host

15 — Image credits

  1. Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum)

    Creator / Photographer
    座右宝刊行会
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum).jpg ↗
    Credit
    世界陶磁全集 第10（1955年）
    Licence
    Public domain

  2. Yohen Tenmoku Tea Bowl(Seikado)

    Creator / Photographer
    Unknown author（高橋義雄？）
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Yohen Tenmoku Tea Bowl(Seikado).jpg ↗
    Credit
    高橋義雄編『大正名器鑑 第6編』宝雲舎、1937年6月15日。National Diet Library Digital Collections: Persistent ID 1686307
    Licence
    Public domain

  3. Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) 01

    Creator / Photographer
    林屋晴三
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) 01.jpg ↗
    Credit
    中国の陶磁（1955年）
    Licence
    Public domain

  4. Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) 02

    Creator / Photographer
    林屋晴三
    Source
    Wikimedia Commons — File:Yōhen Tenmoku (Seikadō Bunko Art Museum) 02.jpg ↗
    Credit
    中国の陶磁（1955年）
    Licence
    Public domain
All image credits →