26446 KAWAI Kanjiro, Six Tea Bowls and Six Saucers with Fish Design, "Shōkan" seal, c. 1924

Cup: Height 6.4cm, Diameter 11.0cm
Saucer: Height 2.5cm, Diameter 15.0cm

Kanjiro Kawai was a leading master of the Japanese folk art movement (mingei) who helped lay its foundations and played a central role alongside such legendary figures as Soetsu Yanagi and Shoji Hamada, as well as masters of modern Japanese craft like Kenkichi Tomimoto and Tatsuaki Kuroda, whose names are still revered today. By pursuing the "beauty of utility" through a profound and rustic style, he pioneered new frontiers in modern ceramics and earned global acclaim, including the Grand Prix at the Milan International Exhibition.

This is an exceptionally rare piece featuring a fish swimming gracefully among water plants. Created during the artist's Shokei-gama kiln period, it dates back approximately 102 years, and similar works in this style can be found in exhibition catalogs. The original storage box is in good condition. There is a firing crack of about 9cm on the saucer, but this does not affect its use. In fact, for a 100-year-old piece, the fact that this is the only flaw could be considered a miracle.