Under the guidance of the tea master Kanamori Sowa, Nonomura Ninsei produced copies of imported Chinese pieces, Ko-seto ware, and Koryo dynasty tea bowl; he was also primarily responsible for the development of an innovative type of ceramics called "Kyoyaki" (Kyoto ware), decorated with multi-colored enamels. The shape of this tea bowl consists of two very different sections that are nonetheless well balanced: the area from the rim to the waist, where the walls curve only slightly, and that from the waist to the foot, where the bowl has been deeply carved in the manner of Chinese Temmoku bowls. The brightly colored patterns of the floral shippo-tsunagi (interlocking circles) design and stylized lotus petals are set against a glossy, jet-black glazed ground, and a wide band of silver circles the rim, resulting in a design of great originality. The type of ornate, multi-colored enamels seen here is a hallmark of Ninsei's style, making this bowl an excellent example of his work.