Born in Hokkaido in 1937, Mr. Takahiro Haniu was inspired to pursue pottery during his apprenticeship at the Nopporo Ceramic Branch of the Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute after being deeply moved by the works of Mr. Shinobu Komori, a master of modern Japanese ceramics. After honing his skills in Mashiko and Seto, he established his independent kiln in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture in 1967, and studied under Mr. Masatoshi Yamamoto from 1974. A member who earned selections in the Nitten Exhibition and received the Kofu Craft Special Award, Mr. Takahiro Haniu is today highly acclaimed as an Honorary Member of Kofukai. Our shop offers this piece—featuring a thinly and neatly hand-carved shallow cup form and a mystical rainbow luminescence—to the global market as a luxurious Japanese sake shot glass (miniature sake vessel) for quietly savoring amber aged sake, matured whisky, or noble spirits neat or on the rocks.
Carefully examining the details of this work clearly reveals the scenery of the iridescent yohen glaze, a signature technique established by Mr. Takahiro Haniu through advanced glaze research in the lineage of Mr. Shinobu Komori. Over a deep, dark glaze ground, fine crystalline particles and light refraction create a dense rainbow iridescence of blue, purple, green, and gold across the entire vessel down to the mikomi (inner bottom), presenting fantastical color shifts with every change in angle. The sharp, well-balanced shallow bowl shape, reminiscent of an abacus bead, was formed through dense manual carving, while the base features an unglazed clay exposure ("tsuchimise") revealing rustic red clay. Inside the foot ring, Mr. Takahiro Haniu's hand-carved signature "Takahiro" is clearly inscribed.
Regarding the period of production, taking the workshop address listed on the accompanying leaflet (shiori) as Ezochi, Abiko City—where his studio relocated in 1982—and the maturation of his yohen glaze expression in Kofukai and Nitten exhibitions leading to his receiving the Kofu Craft Special Award in 2003, it is identified as an authentic work created in the 2000s to 2010s (mid to late Heisei period), when he perfected his unique iridescent expression. The vessel itself has no cracks or chips, maintaining excellent condition in its iridescent yohen glaze coloration, crystal formation, and glaze texture. The piece arrives in complete condition, accompanied by its dedicated Tomobako (wooden box) inscribed on the lid with "Iridescent Yohen Sake Cup" in ink with a red seal, a dedicated wrapping cloth bearing the same ink inscription and seal, and a studio leaflet from the Abiko workshop.
- Artist: Mr. Takahiro Haniu (1937–)
- Artist's Key Activities: [1958] Encountered the works of Mr. Shinobu Komori during his time as a trainee at the Nopporo Ceramic Branch of the Hokkaido Industrial Research Institute and decided to pursue ceramics; [1967] Established an independent kiln in Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture; [1974] Studied under Mr. Masatoshi Yamamoto, a Nitten Councilor; [1982] Relocated his kiln to Abiko City and was selected for the first time at the 68th Kofukai Exhibition; [2003] Received the Kofu Craft Special Award at the 89th Kofukai Exhibition; [2014] Selected for the first time at the 1st Reorganized Nitten Exhibition; [2018] Nominated as an Honorary Member of Kofukai
- Works Housed In: Kashiwa City Public Collections, etc.
- Period of Production: Circa 2000s–2010s (Estimated)
- Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Dedicated Tomobako, dedicated cloth with seal stamp, studio leaflet included
- Material: Pottery (iridescent yohen glaze, crystals, hand-carved, stamped signature)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 3.6 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 8.4 cm
- Caution: All products offered by our shop are pre-owned items due to their historical production period. Products may have minor age-related changes in texture, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying these details.
