Pursuing the traditions and innovations of Seto ware from the Taisho through Heisei eras, this Tenmoku tea cup was crafted by Hachiro Suzuki (1915–2005) of Prince Kiln (Taishi-gama), who was designated a holder of Seto City Designated Intangible Cultural Property for ceramic ash glaze techniques. Hachiro Suzuki studied under. Tatsukichi Fujii, a giant of modern Japanese crafts, to master design and craft philosophy, and after honing his skills under. Seiichi Kamei, he traveled to Manchuria from 1944 to 1945 for ceramic research, deeply studying ancient Chinese ceramics. In the post-war period, he achieved selection 13 times in total for the Bunten and Nitten exhibitions, and earned high acclaim as a master representing the Seto ceramic world through selections for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and exhibiting at The Metropolitan Museum of Art in the United States, as well as having his works collected and permanently preserved in institutions such as the Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art, Aichi Prefectural Ceramic Museum, Ichinomiya City Museum, Hekinan City Tatsukichi Fujii Museum of Contemporary Art, and Seto City. Our shop offers this heavy, dignified piece—originally created as a traditional Tenmoku tea cup—to the global market as a luxurious Japanese-style rocks glass (cylindrical free cup) for quietly savoring the rich aroma and flavor of amber aged sake, matured whisky, or authentic shochu over large ice cubes.
Carefully examining the details of this work clearly reveals the scenery of Oil Spot Tenmoku (crystal Tenmoku), in which the beauty of ancient Chinese Tenmoku ceramics deeply researched by Hachiro Suzuki during his Manchurian travels and his masterful firing technique have brilliantly come to fruition. Over a pitch-black glaze ground, beautiful silver-white oil-spot and crystalline markings float densely across the entire vessel body down to the mikomi (inner bottom), creating a fantastical sense of depth depending on the light angle. The cylindrical form features powerful manual horizontal carving and organic warpage, bestowing three-dimensional shadows and a delightful, palm-fitting tactile feel not found in simple cylinders. Around the foot ring, the glaze is cleanly scraped off to reveal the tight, rustic clay unique to Seto ("tsuchimise"), while beautiful spiral carving is executed inside the foot ring. Standing approximately 10.7 cm in height with a mouth diameter of approximately 7.7 cm, the cylindrical structure with moderate thickness and height offers excellent heat insulation and cold retention, serving as a perfect stage for savoring the deep flavor of aged spirits and the resonant sound of ice through all five senses.
Regarding the period of production, it can be estimated to be an authentic work created in the 1980s to 1990s (latter Showa to early Heisei period), when his Tenmoku and ash-glaze techniques—the fruits of his ancient Chinese ceramic research—reached a complete pinnacle of maturity following the opening of his anagama kiln in 1975, the publication of his book "Kusetomonyou Tehikaecho" in 1980, and the selection of his work for permanent preservation by Seto City in 1981. With Hachiro Suzuki's passing in 2005, the creation of new works has completely ceased, establishing its enduring value as a legacy of a master recognized even by The Metropolitan Museum of Art. The vessel itself has no cracks or chips, maintaining extremely good condition in its oil spot Tenmoku glaze coloration, appearance of spot markings, and glaze texture. The piece arrives in complete condition, accompanied by its dedicated Tomobako (wooden box) inscribed on the lid with "Tenmoku Chahai" in ink and stamped with Hachiro's red seal, alongside a dedicated cloth stamped with his seal stamp.
- Artist: Hachiro Suzuki (1915–2005)
- Artist's Key Activities: Studied under Tatsukichi Fujii and Seiichi Kamei; Traveled to Manchuria for ceramic research from 1944–1945; Selected 13 times for Bunten/Nitten exhibitions; Selected for Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition; Received National Ceramic Exhibition Toto Encouragement Award and Toto President's Award; Exhibited at The Metropolitan Museum of Art (USA); Held anagama kiln ceramic exhibitions from 1975; Published book "Kusetomonyou Tehikaecho" in 1980; "Fern Motif Large Bowl" selected for permanent preservation by Seto City in 1981; Designated as holder of Seto City Designated 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: Circa 1980s–1990s (Estimated)
- Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks, excluding age-related character inherent to antique crafts)
- Accessories: Dedicated Tomobako, dedicated cloth with seal stamp included
- Material: Pottery (Seto ware, Tenmoku glaze, Oil Spot Tenmoku)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 10.7 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 7.7 cm
- Caution: All products offered by our shop are historical craft items with older production periods and are listed as antiques/vintage art. Products may exhibit minor changes over time, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying the essential nature of antique crafts.
