We are pleased to introduce an extremely rare guinomi created in 1971 by Mr. Yasuhide Uchida, a holder of Hiroshima Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property "Hyori Kantsu Nishiki Neriage" who was born in 1893 and passed away in 1997 at the age of 104, leaving monumental footprints on the history of pottery from the Showa to Heisei eras. Mr. Uchida acquired advanced coloring and porcelain techniques at the prestigious Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres in France in the 1960s. After exhibiting at the Osaka Expo in 1970, he was designated a holder of Hiroshima Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1973. This piece is a monumental work crafted in 1971, a relatively early period in Mr. Uchida's career, just before he was recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property. Our shop proposes this legendary work, still highly praised by craft collectors both domestically and internationally, to the world as a special shot glass for savoring aged sake and premium whiskies neat.
The core of Yasuhide Uchida's artistry and his most highly acclaimed achievement is the lost, legendary technique of Hyori Kantsu Nishiki Neriage (front-and-back penetrating brocade clay layering), which is extremely difficult to reproduce today. This technique does not involve painting with pigments on the surface, as in conventional pottery. Instead, it is an astonishing method where different colored clays, created by mixing various metal oxides to achieve their hues, are meticulously combined like a puzzle based on precise calculations, forming the pattern itself as the structure of the clay. Since clays with different compositions have different shrinkage rates during firing, there is an extremely high risk of cracks forming at the joints in the kiln, allowing for no margin of error. The sense of color cultivated at the Sèvres porcelain factory and the high level of skill in completely controlling the clay enable the vibrant, unadulterated coloration seen in his work.
A specialized analysis of the design of this piece clearly reveals valuable formative characteristics from the developmental stage of the Hyori Kantsu Nishiki Neriage technique. As its name, "front-and-back penetrating," suggests, the intricate geometric patterns applied to the exterior penetrate completely to the interior and even the bottom without any deviation, visually proving the uniform layering of the clay. Compared to the refined, thin, and light style seen in Uchida's later works, this piece, from its developmental stage, has a generally robust and pleasing weight, offering an excellent hold that feels mysteriously natural in the hand from the first touch. Furthermore, a beautiful accumulation of glaze (yutamari) characteristic of works from this period is clearly visible at the bottom of the vessel's interior. The exterior bottom, while providing solid stability, retains the irregular undulations unique to handmade crafts that industrial products can never replicate. Therefore, the distinct feel and sensation experienced when releasing your hand as you set the piece down from the hand to the table is also a very interesting highlight unique to this particular work.
Furthermore, this piece possesses a unique characteristic: the appearance of its surface color visibly changes depending on the type of light source, angle, and intensity of light during photography or viewing, offering a visual delight. Because this piece was crafted during a period before the character "Yasu" (泰) was incised on Mr. Uchida's works, no spatula-carved signature can be confirmed on the vessel itself. However, the genuine authorship of Mr. Uchida is thoroughly authenticated by the powerful texture of the multi-layered clay, as well as the tomobako (wooden box) featuring the artist's handwritten signature and seal, along with the original wrapping cloth. Please enjoy this unique masterpiece of traditional Japanese craftsmanship, a crystallization of passion and exceptional skill that has not faded over half a century, as a special companion for savoring fine spirits.
- Artist: Yasuhide Uchida (1893–1997)
- Artist's Key Activities: Acquired coloring and porcelain techniques at the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres in France in the 1960s. Exhibited at the Osaka Expo in 1970, and was designated a holder of Hiroshima Prefecture's Important Intangible Cultural Property "Hyori Kantsu Nishiki Neriage" in 1973.
- Production Period: 1971 Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks) Accessories: Signed wooden box, wrapping cloth
- Material: Hyori Kantsu Nishiki Neriage (Pottery, front-and-back penetrating technique) Dimensions: Height approx. 5.0 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 5.4 cm
- Note ①: Even if new and unused, all products offered by our shop are from very old production periods and are listed as used items. Products may have age-related damage; please understand and confirm this before considering a purchase.
- Note ②: Due to lighting conditions and the viewing environment, the true colors and textures of the artwork may appear slightly different from the actual item. Therefore, we have included as many photographs as possible to allow you to examine the details from all angles. We kindly ask you to carefully view the details and make your purchase with complete satisfaction.
