Dish in the Shape of a Leaf, Part of a Set of 6

Hamanaka Gesson is a master ceramicist based in Hagi, the same historical pottery region where Kaneta Masanao works. Like his contemporaries, Hamanaka experiments with traditional materials and new shapes. The blush of pink in the glaze on this dish can be found on many Hagi ceramics, but the iron-brown decoration is more reminiscent of Oribe wares. Hamanaka creates sets of small dishes like this, in which no two are the same. They can be used in kaiseki meals and tea ceremonies, where the variations in form and decoration are appreciated and discussed by participants.