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About this piece
Crafted by Kobayashi Shuji (小林秀二, 1950–), a Traditional Craftsman of Bizen ware born in Okayama Prefecture in 1950 (Showa 25), this is an unglazed stoneware Bizen sake cup. After completing Kobayashi's training at the Okayama Prefectural Bizen Ceramics Center in 1973, Kobayashi Shuji trained at potteries in other ceramic regions, including Mashiko ware in Tochigi Prefecture, developing deep insights into glaze and clay characteristics along with a refined sculptural sensibility. In 1996, the artist established an independent kiln by building an anagama (cave kiln) near the ancient Sabukaze kiln site in Ushimado, Setouchi City—renowned as a cluster of ancient Sue ware kiln ruins—and earned high acclaim as a Traditional Craftsman of Bizen ware with repeated selections at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and the Okayama Prefecture Art Exhibition. Our shop presents this creation, finished solely through the direct action of wood-kiln flames and clay without applying any glaze, to the global market not only as a traditional Japanese sake vessel, but also as a vintage rocks glass (a Japanese free cup) for quietly savoring amber-colored aged sake or matured whisky over large ice cubes.
This work clearly manifests the unique clay usage Kobayashi Shuji established through studies in other ceramic regions, together with the rustic, powerful design born from anagama firing. On the surface of the comfortable hand-held form measuring approximately 5.0 cm in height and 6.5–7.0 cm in mouth diameter, vivid reddish-orange fire marks (hiiro / scarlet fire-skin) generated by the passage of flames inside the kiln appear densely from the rim down across the upper body, drawing a beautiful contrast with the warm beige-to-light-brown clay texture remaining on the lower half. The unglazed stoneware body exhibits fine clay-grain undulations, while the interior base (mikomi) reveals deep tones of natural ash glaze and scorched marks; when sake is poured, the clay surface absorbs moisture, transforming into a moist, resonant hue. The artist's incised signature "Shuji" is clearly carved on the bottom, demonstrating an achievement where wheel-thrown precision and handcrafted warmth fuse at a high level.
Regarding the period of production, taking clues from Kobayashi's founding of an independent anagama kiln in Sabukaze, Ushimado, Setouchi City in 1996 (Heisei 8) and the establishment of a mature artistic style as a Traditional Craftsman of Bizen ware, it is identified as an authentic work produced between 1996 and circa the 2010s. The vessel itself has no chips or cracks, maintaining extremely good condition in both fire-skin coloration and clay texture preservation. It arrives as a complete masterpiece accompanied by its dedicated Tomobako (wooden box) inscribed in ink on the lid "Bizen Sake Cup" with the signature "Shuji" and red seal stamped below, as well as a Tomonuno (wrapping cloth).
Career Highlights: [1973] Completed training at the Okayama Prefectural Bizen Ceramics Center and trained in Mashiko ware, etc.; [1996] Built an anagama kiln in Sabukaze, Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City and became independent; [Heisei Period] Certified as a Traditional Craftsman of Bizen ware, selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and Okayama Prefecture Art Exhibition
Public Collections: Local exhibition facilities and private antique/craft collections, etc.
Date: Circa 1996–2010s
Condition： Very good (no chips, no cracks)
Accompanied by: Dedicated Tomobako, Tomonuno included
Dimensions： Height approx. 5.0 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.5–7.0 cm
Please Note: 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.
About the Photographs: We prepare every description with great care, but errors may still remain in the text. Please examine the photos carefully before purchasing. Where the photos and the description differ, please take the photos as the basis for the product information.
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