Plate/4 Square Black Oribe Crests

     Furuta Oribe was one of the most influential tea masters in Japan, succeeding Sen no Rikyu in the 16th century. He introduced a feeling of modernism through his approach to ceramics and other arts and crafts, compared to the austereness dominant during the time. His use of unusual and organic shapes, and boldly colored glazes and designs was such a departure, that it was influential far beyond just the ceramic and tea ceremony circles.  Designs found on many serving vessels (by far the most common form of Oribe ware) have motifs such as flowers or geometrical patterns taken from tsujigahana textiles.