Sake Cup (Guinomi) - Yakishime (Shigaraki Clay)

Hook & Philosophy

Shigaraki clay has been fired in Japan for over a thousand years - and still, each firing brings something no one has seen before. In Yukitaka Hatsuda's anagama at Kasatori, wood fires burn for days, ash travels in the heat, and shizen-yu - natural glaze - writes itself onto the surface of the clay. No human hand applies the glaze. Only fire decides.

The Piece

Ash has covered the entire surface of this guinomi, and in melting, has produced a river of bīdoro - a vitreous, blue-green glaze - that pools and glows at the base of the cup. Turn it over: the exterior holds this watery light. Then look within - a hiiro blazes on the inner wall, flame-red and luminous, a private fire kept inside. This is a piece of rare complexity: cool glass and warm flame, held in the palm of the hand.

Note

Yakishime ceramics carry no applied glaze: ash from the wood fuel falls directly onto the clay during firing, melting at high temperature to form the surface. Due to the nature of anagama kiln firing and coarse clay, minor surface irregularities or slight water seepage may occur. If needed, a thin application of cyanoacrylate (super-glue) to the interior surface resolves this easily.

Specifications