Inheriting the bloodline and traditional techniques of Furai Kiln, founded by his grandfather Furai Mori—renowned as a master craftsman of Bizen ware—this unglazed stoneware free cup is created by Taiga Mori, a contemporary ceramic artist born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture in 1978. At Furai Kiln, Taiga Mori mastered the fundamental techniques of Bizen pottery, including the refining of carefully selected rice-field clay (tado) and wood-fired kiln firing. While inheriting the aesthetics of traditional tea ceramics and sake vessels, he has pursued a sharp, powerful sculptural beauty that harmonizes with modern spaces. Bizen ware uses no glazes or painted decoration whatsoever; by firing in a wood-burning kiln at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius over several days, it gives birth to coincidental beauty woven by the components within the clay, the flames, and the wood ash. Our shop presents this vessel, which condenses the strength of Japan's unglazed stoneware craft with over a thousand years of history, to the global market not only for sencha or everyday tea, but also as a vintage rocks glass (Japanese free cup) designed for slowly savoring aged sake or premium Japanese whisky with large ice cubes, enveloped in rich aromas matured through the years.
Examining the details of this work reveals that the three-dimensional carving, powerful sculptural sensibility favored by Taiga Mori, and the diverse yohen (kiln transformation) scenery resulting from wood-firing are clearly manifested across the vessel. A horizontal, band-like ridge and depression are crafted around the center of the body; through manual carving and pressing after wheel-throwing, a bold, functional contoured form is created that fits the fingers naturally when held. The raw clay surface displays the warm reddish-brown hue characteristic of Bizen, while on one side of the body, minute goma (natural ash glaze) ranging from yellowish-brown to golden-green—formed by burned pine ash melting at high temperatures—appears as a beautiful accent. Furthermore, smoky dark brown shadows and vivid hiiro (scarlet fire marks) created by oxidation-reduction reactions within the kiln overlap one another, drawing a rich color gradation hard to imagine originating from a single clay. Inside the interior base (mikomi), swirling clay expressions and natural ash scorching spread out, while the bottom of the foot ring features powerful carved marks alongside the artist's own carved seal clearly incised.
Regarding the period of production, it is identified as an authentic work created between circa 2015 and 2022, when Taiga Mori established his unique three-dimensional sculpting and faceted/tiered carving techniques at Furai Kiln, actively presenting works at major galleries and craft exhibitions nationwide, and reaching a mature stage in both sculptural beauty and firing technique. The vessel itself has no cracks or chips, maintaining the moist clay texture and yohen scenery unique to unglazed stoneware in extremely good condition.
- Artist： Taiga Mori (1978–)
- Artist's Key Activities： [2000s] Began ceramic creation at Furai Kiln; [2010s–Present] Selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, received awards at the Okayama Prefecture Art Exhibition, and held numerous solo exhibitions at department stores and galleries
- Works Housed In： Local exhibition facilities and private craft collections, etc.
- Period of Production： Circa 2015–2022
- Condition： Very good (no chips, no cracks)
- Accessories： None
- Material： Stoneware (Bizen ware, unglazed stoneware, yohen kiln transformation, goma natural ash glaze, hiiro fire marks, carved seal)
- Dimensions： Height approx. 9.3 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 8.5–8.9 cm
- Caution： All products offered by our shop are pre-owned items due to their historical production period, even if unused. Products may have age-related damage, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying these condition details.
