Kitsuki-yaki, Tsukasa Kiln, Suzuki Kenji (鈴木健司), Seigaiha (Wave) Motif, Nerikomi Inlay Water Dropper / Whisky Dropper #195

This water dropper is the work of Suzuki Kenji, the potter who runs the Tsukasa Kiln (Kitsuki-yaki) in Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture. The leaflet that comes with it expresses the maker's wish to create vessels that bring a sense of ease when held and used, much as a children's song warms the heart, and describes an ongoing, patient effort, through trial and error, to make pottery glazed with ash from the mandarin oranges and bamboo of Kitsuki, a castle town rich in nature. The "Nerikomi" (marbled clay) and "Inlay" (Zogan) techniques featured in this work demand advanced skill. Nerikomi involves the meticulous layering of differently colored clays to create patterns within the cross-section; it is a high-risk process where the varying shrinkage rates of the clays often lead to cracking during firing, thus requiring exceptional skill.

Our shop redefines this vessel, originally designed as a calligraphic "Suiteki" for dripping water drop by drop, as a "Whisky Dropper" for perfectly unlocking the aromas of rare aged spirits and single malts. When spirits matured for decades are diluted with an extremely small amount of water, the surface tension changes, causing a "blooming" effect that dramatically releases complex layers of trapped aroma and flavor. This vessel's specialized form is ideal for the millimeter-precision control required for such a delicate process.

Its method of use is remarkably intuitive and elegant. By lightly covering the small air hole on the top with a fingertip and subtly adjusting the pressure, the user can control the internal airflow with total precision. This allows one to guide a single drop exactly as intended into the amber liquid. The box lid bears the brushed inscription "Seikai Shiranami-mon Suiteki" (water dropper with blue-sea and white-wave pattern) along with the "Tsukasa Kiln" signature and seal, and the "Seigaiha" (Blue Ocean Waves) pattern, shaped by the maker's devoted craft, represents a rare fusion of calculated technique and the raw character of the clay. This rare piece of Japanese craftsmanship is both a functional tool and a unique collector’s item that invites the luxury of traditional beauty into a modern lifestyle.

• Artist: Suzuki Kenji (鈴木健司), Tsukasa Kiln, Kitsuki-yaki (Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture)
• About the Kiln: Tsukasa Kiln is a Kitsuki-yaki pottery in Kitsuki City, Oita Prefecture. Its enclosed leaflet describes an ongoing effort, through trial and error, to make pottery glazed with ash from the mandarin oranges and bamboo of the castle town of Kitsuki.
• Period of Creation: 1998 or later (the enclosed leaflet is printed with the seven-digit postal code "873-0006"; Japan introduced seven-digit postal codes in February 1998. Estimated on the assumption that the leaflet accompanied the piece when it was made). The "Nerikomi Inlay" in this work is a technically demanding process involving the integration of multiple clays with different shrinkage rates, entailing a high risk of damage during firing.
• Condition: Very good (No chips, no cracks)
• Accessories: Original signed wooden box (Tomobako), wrapping cloth, introductory leaflet
• Material: Pottery (Kitsuki-yaki / Nerikomi Inlay)
• Dimensions: Height approx. 4.5 cm, Width approx. 6.0 cm, Depth approx. 8.0 cm
• Note: Please note that all products provided by our store, even if in unused condition, are from vintage production periods and are listed as used. Items may show minor age-related wear; please confirm the condition before purchasing.
• Please check the photos: We prepare every description with great care, but errors may still remain in the text. Please examine the photos carefully before purchasing. Where the photos and the description differ, please take the photos as the basis for the product information.