Tengūji Tōhakujin (1951–2020) was a Japanese pottery artist known for his use of local Mimasaka clay and experimental work with traditional anagama kilns. His real name was Teramoto Susumu, and he also worked under that name. He lived and worked in Tsuyama City, Okayama Prefecture. In 1974 he established Tenguji Kiln in Yukishige, Kamo-cho. The artist name “Tenguji Tōhakujin” derives from nearby Tenguji Mountain.
I am selling a Black Hidasuki chawan by the artist with the Mei (name) "Black Moss".
The tea bowl is made of dark brown rough clay, with partial black uncontrolled glaze. The tea bowl seems to be Tsutsu-gata style (cylinder shape teabowl). It comes with the original signed wooden box, unmarked cloth and an exhibition flyer. In the wooden box is the name "black moss" and the bowl is mark as Hikidashi, which is a style of firing where the bowl is pulled out from the kiln while it's glowing red instead of a slow cooldown.
The chawan seems to be in excellent condition. There appears to be a firing-related crack on the unglazed area of the interior bottom. The bowl also shows slight seepage, occasionally producing a drop or two of moisture. The rim contains a number of stone inclusions. Some are fully fused to the surface, while others expose small areas of clay alongside visible white stone inclusions. There do not appear to be any missing chips or related damage.
The wooden box has a crack on its side seam and shows signs of age.
He held his first solo exhibition at Okayama Takashimaya in 1985 and many more afterward, including:
He received awards such as the Encouragement Prize in the Matcha Bowl Contest (2005) and was selected for exhibitions like the Tea Ceremony Shaping Exhibition, Oribe exhibitions, and a 2013 group show for the 1,300th anniversary of Mimasaka Province’s founding.