This is an ash-glazed tea cup by Hachiro Suzuki (1915–2005) of the Taishi Kiln, who pursued the tradition and innovation of Seto ware from the Taisho to Heisei periods and was designated a Holder of Seto City's Intangible Cultural Property for "Ceramic Ash Glaze Technique." Hachiro Suzuki studied design and craft philosophy under Tatsukichi Fujii, a master of modern crafts, and trained under Seiichi Kamei. From 1944 to 1945, he traveled to Manchuria for ceramic research, deeply studying ancient Chinese pottery. After the war, he was selected 13 times for the Bunten and Nitten exhibitions, and his work was selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition and exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States. His works are housed and permanently preserved in the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, the Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, the Ichinomiya City Museum, and Seto City, earning him high acclaim as a leading master of Seto ceramics.
This custom-commissioned piece features the handwritten ink inscription "O-dai Tabi Chahai" (Annual Imperial Poetry Theme: Journey, Tea Cup) by the artist on the lid of the accompanying Tomobako. It represents a harmonious fusion of Hachiro Suzuki's signature ash glaze technique and the natural kiln transformations brought about by anagama firing. The upper half of the vessel is covered with a soft-textured grayish-white glaze displaying fine, elegant crackles. From the lower body down to the foot ring, slanted comb patterns expertly incised with a carving tool encircle the vessel, where dense, deep-green ash glaze—formed by the flames and wood ash of the anagama kiln—has flowed down and pooled. Near the foot ring, the rustic and powerful raw clay body is exposed, with glassy glaze drips that have solidified clearly visible along the border. The sophisticated blending of plant ash, high-temperature reduction firing, and the advanced technique of guiding glaze into carved recesses fully manifest the fruits of his research into ancient Koseto designs and anagama firing.
We propose this vessel, endowed with historical value and a refined cylindrical form, as an exquisite Japanese Kogei sake vessel (whisky rock glass) for enjoying aged sake, premium whisky, or shochu over ice in modern lifestyles. The tactile carved contours felt in the hand, alongside the colors woven by the deep-green ash glaze and clear liquor when poured, elevate everyday moments into a special experience encountering peak art. Handcrafted during his active period of anagama firing exhibitions after 1975, this authentic piece is identified by the included biography leaflet as having been produced between 1980 and 1982—the era when his scholarly book was published and his masterpiece was selected for permanent preservation by Seto City. It is a masterpiece in pristine condition, complete with its dedicated Tomobako bearing the artist's handwritten title, theme, and seal, along with the original biography leaflet.
- Artist：Hachiro Suzuki (Taishi Kiln / Bujian, 1915–2005)
- Artist's Key Activities：Studied under Tatsukichi Fujii and Seiichi Kamei; Traveled to Manchuria for ceramic research in 1944–1945; Selected 13 times for the Bunten and Nitten exhibitions; Selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition; Awarded the Toto Encouragement Prize and Toto Chairman's Prize at the National Ceramics Exhibition; Exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in the USA; Held anagama firing exhibitions from 1975; Published "Koseto Moyo Tekikaicho" (Handbook of Ancient Seto Patterns) in 1980; "Shida Moyo Obachi" (Large Fern Pattern Bowl) selected for permanent preservation by Seto City in 1981; Designated a Holder of Seto City's Intangible Cultural Property for "Ceramic Ash Glaze Technique" in 2003
- Works Housed In：Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Ichinomiya City Museum, Hekinan City Tatsukichi Fujii Museum of Contemporary Art, Seto City
- Period of Production：1980–1982
- Condition：Very good (no chips, no cracks, excluding aged texture characteristic of antique art)
- Accessories：Dedicated Tomobako (with "O-dai Tabi Chahai" and "Hachiro Saku" inscribed in ink with red seal on the lid), original biography leaflet included
- Material：Stoneware (ash glaze, anagama fired, slanted comb pattern, flowing glaze, exposed raw clay foot ring)
- Dimensions：Height approx. 10.0 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 10.5 cm
- Caution：All products offered by our shop are historical items from an old production period and are listed as antique art / pre-owned items. Products may have subtle changes due to age, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying the nature of antique art.
