This is an extremely rare artistic water dropper by Kunimitsu Takakura (1930-2021), a legendary potter based in Toho Village, Asakura-gun, Fukuoka Prefecture (Koishiwara), who connected the Koishiwara ware tradition to the present day. Born into the Takakura family, which has preserved the Koishiwara ware tradition for generations, he inherited the techniques of the community that have existed since the Edo period, yet elevated those techniques to the realm of fine art. His outstanding achievements are supported by the highest recognition for a regional potter: the Contemporary Master Craftsman award in 1996, the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays in 2005, and certification as a holder of Fukuoka Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property in 2014. His works are housed in the Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art and the Kyushu National Museum, making him an indispensable master in the history of Koishiwara ware.
This piece transcends ordinary Koishiwara ware for daily use, possessing the dignity of a fine artwork. As proof of this, the inscription on the ceramic base is not the kiln name Takakura, but Kunimitsu—a signature the artist reserved for unique works imbued with his artistic pride, bearing his own name. Furthermore, from the description on the wooden box, it is clear that this piece was specially created on May 26, 1986, through a deep connection with Nara Kobaien, Japan's oldest and most prestigious ink manufacturer, founded in 1577. This vessel, custom-made as a water dropper to accompany the finest ink for Kobaien—a sacred place for calligraphy tools—is more than just a craft item; it is a historical record of a significant cultural exchange.
The design features the tobikanna (chattering) technique, a hallmark of Takakura's artistry, applied with perfect rhythm. This continuous pattern, carved with a mainspring steel spatula, exhibits the unerring precision of a master alongside the warmth generated by handwork, giving the entire vessel a pleasant sense of dynamism. The deep, transparent verdigris glaze covering the whole piece, applied thickly, emits a jewel-like luster. Although originally conceived as a tool for dispensing water drop by drop for calligraphy, our store redefines this item as a water dropper for enjoying Western spirits or rare aged spirits that have matured for decades.
High-purity alcohol and aged spirits that have been bottled for decades undergo a moment of Blooming when a very small amount of water is added, changing the surface tension and dramatically revealing complex layers of trapped aroma and flavor. To control this extremely delicate change, the shape of this water dropper, which can precisely control water drop by drop, is ideal. Its use is surprisingly intuitive and elegant. By lightly pressing the small air hole on the top of the body with a fingertip, and then slightly lifting or closing that finger, the flow of air into the interior can be controlled with millimeter precision. This allows for a precisely intended single drop to be gently guided into the amber liquid. With his passing in 2021, new works with such a special background will never be created again, making this an extremely rare legacy, equivalent to owning a fragment of history.
- Artist: Kunimitsu Takakura (1930-2021)
- Artist's Major Career Highlights: [1996] Awarded as a Contemporary Master Craftsman (Outstanding Skilled Worker) by the Minister of Labor, [2005] Received the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Silver Rays, [2014] Certified as a holder of Fukuoka Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property
- Works in Collections: Fukuoka Prefectural Museum of Art, Kyushu National Museum (Exhibition record), Toho Village Koishiwara Traditional Industrial Hall, etc.
- Production Date: 1986 (Showa 61 / Specially produced for Nara Kobaien)
- Condition: Very good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Original wooden box (with Kunimitsu Takakura's signature and seal, and Nara Kobaien inscription), Leaflet
- Material: Pottery (Koishiwara ware)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 4.5cm, Maximum diameter approx. 4.5cm
- Note: All products offered by our store, even if unused, are from a very old production period and are listed as used items. The product may have age-related damage, so please understand and confirm this before purchasing.
