Yokogumo stands as a masterful representation of the traditional style established by the third-generation Raku master, Dōnyū, exhibiting many of his most characteristic features. Possessing a quiet, composed beauty, this particular vessel is crafted with a slightly shorter stature, a structural choice found frequently among Dōnyū’s works alongside his more highly individualistic pieces.
The entire surface of the bowl is enveloped in a glossy black glaze. A close inspection reveals a sophisticated “double-glazed” effect, achieved by layering different types of black glaze across the body and interior. The more fluid upper layer cascades downward from the rim, creating beautiful undulating patterns reminiscent of a curtain. This distinct visual movement is known as maku-gusuri (curtain glaze), a signature technique invented by Dōnyū that showcases his technical ingenuity. Adding to its historical and physical presence, the bowl bears the prominent traces of iron tongs used to extract it from the intense heat of the kiln, while the base is proudly impressed with Dōnyū’s official “Raku” seal to cement its lineage.
