We are pleased to introduce a Shudei Neriage Genshinsai work by Yohei Konishi (born 1941), a contemporary master who perfected the technique of hand-thrown pottery in the history of Tokoname ware and was designated as a holder of Tokoname City Intangible Cultural Property in 2013. Konishi is an artist who has established international artistic value, with his works housed in prestigious institutions such as the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK and the Philadelphia Museum of Art in the US. This piece is an extremely rare pair, combining Konishi's signature neriage technique with thin-walled construction that challenges the limits of pottery wheel techniques. At our store, we propose it as a rock glass for enjoying long-aged koshu or whiskey, to maximize its refined aesthetics and exquisite mouthfeel.
The most highly regarded aspect of Konishi's creations is his neriage technique, which creates intricate patterns by layering different colored clays. In this work, shudei (vermilion clay), symbolic of Tokoname, serves as the base, with white and black clays precisely layered, forming a profound landscape that seems to emanate from within the vessel, distinctly different from mere surface painting. This technique carries an extremely high risk of cracks and distortions during firing due to the joining of multiple clays with different properties and shrinkage rates, but Konishi masterfully controls this through his selection of clays, backed by Tokoname's tradition, and his skilled intuition. This unique color expression, named "Genshinsai," embodies a multi-layered beauty akin to geological strata, revealing ever-changing expressions depending on the viewing angle.
Particularly noteworthy in terms of form is the thin-walled construction, achieved through the exceptional hand-thrown pottery technique that also led to his certification as an intangible cultural property. When you actually hold this piece, you will first be surprised by its lightness, almost unbelievable for a ceramic, and then by its smooth surface that adheres very delicately to your fingers. The appreciation of this work begins with an admiration for the artist's unique and splendid technique, as the method of stretching the clay to its thinnest limit solely by the sense of the fingertips creates a pleasant tension the moment it is held. Furthermore, the surface features sharp facet-cutting, reminiscent of cut hand-blown glass. This carving exposes the cross-section of the layered neriage clay, elevating it to a more geometric and modern design. This thin construction directly contributes to a pleasant mouthfeel, directly conveying the subtle nuances of sake to the lips and enhancing its rich aroma.
The matte texture of Tokoname ware's characteristic shudei gains luster with use, offering the pleasure of growing with its owner. This piece, which combines artistic merit recognized by the world's leading museums with the practicality of transforming everyday drinking into a dignified ritual, truly deserves to be called the pinnacle of Japanese Kōgei (crafts). This crystal of Tokoname's earth and fire, held in your hand, will take on new life the moment amber liquid is poured into it, bringing deep emotion to your tranquil evening drinks.
- Artist: Yohei Konishi (1941-)
- Artist's Notable Career: [1982] Awarded the Silver Prize at the International Ceramics Biennale in Vallauris, France. [2013] Certified as a holder of Tokoname City Intangible Cultural Property "Tokoname Ware (Hand-thrown pottery wheel)." Currently, as a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association, he continues to work as a leading figure in contemporary Tokoname ware, leveraging his self-taught neriage and usuzukuri (thin-walled) techniques, which evolve traditional methods.
- Works Housed In: Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK), Philadelphia Museum of Art (USA), Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum (Seto City, Aichi Prefecture), Tokoname City Ceramic Hall (Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture), INAX Live Museum (Tokoname City, Aichi Prefecture), and others. Notably, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London houses works using his representative neriage technique, confirming his international artistic value.
- Period of Creation: 1980s - early 1990s
- Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks, aged aesthetic)
- Accessories: None
- Material: Pottery (Tokoname ware, Neriage)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 9.3 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.3 cm
- Note: Even if new and unused, all products offered by our store are from a very old production period and are listed as used items. Products may have damage due to age, so please consider purchasing after understanding and checking their condition.
