This extremely rare sake cup (guinomi) is crafted by Shoji Takahara (1941–2000), a master of Bizen ware born in Okayama Prefecture in 1941. He achieved prestigious accolades including winning the Sanyo Shimbun Award for two consecutive years at the Japan Kougei Association Higashi-Chugoku Branch Exhibition, entering the landmark 1st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition in 1971—the pinnacle of modern ceramic art—and having his work officially purchased and permanently collected by the Frankfurt Museum of Applied Arts (Museum Angewandte Kunst) in former West Germany in 1987. Passing away prematurely at the age of 59, Takahara is a deceased master whose supply of new works has completely ceased, causing the rarity and value of his creations in the art market to climb year by year. We offer this supreme Japanese craft piece, backed by established history and distinction, to the global market as a vintage premium sake vessel (shot glass) designed for slowly savoring aged amber sake or neat premium Japanese whisky.
The core artistic value of Shoji Takahara lies in his prestigious and authentic lineage, having inherited techniques directly from two top masters of Bizen ceramics with contrasting styles. In 1958, he studied under Yozan Isezaki (1902–1961), Holder of Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property, absorbing the spatial sense of intricate ceramic sculpture and three-dimensional craftsmanship. Subsequently in 1962, he studied under Furo Ishii (1899–1964), also a Holder of Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property, thoroughly mastering the superb potter’s wheel forming techniques that served as Ishii's trademark. Examining the details of this work reveals that the transcendent techniques inherited from both masters, along with the drama of noborigama (climbing kiln) firing, are clearly manifested across its entire surface. The vessel's form retains beautiful and powerful wheel marks directly passed down from Furo Ishii around its waist, conveying the moist, clinging texture of meticulously selected rice-paddy clay (tado) when held in the palm. Without the use of any glaze, the external appearance is expressed with extraordinary density through the sharp contrast of authentic, traditional Bizen firing effects—such as yohen (natural kiln transformation), sangiri (ash-covered firing mark), and hidasuki (fire-cord pattern)—created solely by the fierce flames and convective wood-ash currents generated by splitting red pine firewood. One side displays heavy hai-kaburi (ash deposit) and goma (sesame-like ash spots) that melted under intense falling wood ash to create a volcanic, rough texture, while the contrasting side vividly highlights warm hidasuki reddish tones alongside refined wheel marks. Furthermore, melted natural glaze has pooled at the bottom of the interior, presenting a deep, profound expression unique to unglazed Bizen stoneware.
This work is identified as an authentic piece created between 1971 and 1975—a peak period when Takahara's noborigama firing techniques and wheel-throwing skills reached full maturity following his entry into the 1st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition in 1971. The artist’s signature seal is clearly stamped on the underside of the base, and the vessel remains in excellent condition with no chips or cracks.
- Artist：Shoji Takahara (1941–2000)
- Artist's Key Activities：[1958] Studied under Yozan Isezaki, Holder of Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property; [1962] Studied under Furo Ishii, Holder of Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property; [1965] Built his own noborigama (climbing kiln) and established his independence; [1967 & 1968] Won the Sanyo Shimbun Award for two consecutive years at the Japan Kougei Association Higashi-Chugoku Branch Exhibition; [1971] Selected for the 1st Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition; [1981] Traveled to the U.S. to conduct ceramic research; [1987] Work officially purchased by the Frankfurt Museum of Applied Arts (former West Germany)
- Works Housed In：Museum Angewandte Kunst (Frankfurt, Germany)
- Period of Production：1971–1975 (Estimated)
- Condition：Very good (no chips, no cracks, excluding age-related character typical of antique art)
- Material：Stoneware (Bizen ware, unglazed firing, natural ash glaze, goma ash spots, hai-kaburi ash deposit, sangiri, hidasuki, yohen kiln transformation, tado clay, potter's wheel marks)
- Dimensions：Mouth diameter approx. 6.0 cm, Height approx. 5.2 cm – 5.6 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.
