This sake cup is a work of Noto Taisha Ware (Taisha Kiln) created by the ceramic artist Tadashi Isomi (1923–1999). Isomi studied under Hakutei Ishii, a prominent figure in the Western-style painting world, to learn pictorial composition techniques, and mastered advanced ceramic artistry under Tojiro Kitade, a master of modern Kutani ware. After graduating from the Imperial Military Academy, he graduated from the Ceramic Arts Department of the Ishikawa Institute of Arts and Crafts, the predecessor of Kanazawa College of Art. Opening his kiln in 1948 (Showa 23) in Jike-machi, Hakui City, Ishikawa Prefecture, at the foot of Keta Taisha, the Ichinomiya (principal shrine) of Noto, Isomi repeatedly selected for and received awards at the Nitten, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, and Contemporary Art Exhibition. He exhibited as a representative of Ishikawa Prefecture at the 5th Ministry of Education Selected Exhibition and received the Ishikawa Prefecture Cultural Activity Encouragement Award as well as the 7th Hokkoku Fusetsu Award. Furthermore, he was an accomplished master who crafted numerous large ceramic wall reliefs for public facilities such as the National Noto Youth Center and Hakui City Hall. As the enclosed ceramic history pamphlet is updated up to his receipt of the 7th Hokkoku Fusetsu Award in 1989 (Heisei 1) and the 40th Anniversary Exhibition of the opening of Taisha Kiln, this work is identified as an authentic piece produced during his mature period from 1989 to the early 1990s (around the beginning of the Heisei era). The lid of the accompanying dedicated paulownia wooden box (tomobako) is inscribed on the front with the handwritten calligraphy "Sake Cup" (Shuhai) and on the lower left with "Tadashi" along with his red seal stamp, and it comes complete with an inscribed cloth bearing a red seal stamp and detailed work explanation pamphlets.
The greatest visual highlight of this work is "Shinyote" (real leaf technique), a representative method independently developed and established by the Taisha Kiln. This is an extraordinarily difficult, original technique in which actual leaves from plants growing wild around the primeval forest of Keta Taisha, a Nationally Designated Natural Monument, are adhered to the vessel and burned away inside a kiln exceeding 1,000°C, leaving the contours of the leaves and intricate leaf veins three-dimensionally embossed directly onto the surface of the vessel. Examining the provided image, each fine leaf vein of the actual leaf is distinctly and precisely fixed on the front surface of the warm yellowish-brown ash-glazed ground, beautifully capturing the artistic beauty of nature's creation. The vessel is formed into an elegant stemmed cup (bajou-hai) shape, with an unglazed raw clay (rotai) finish on the foot area, exposing the rustic and robust clay texture of the iron-rich ceramic body. Inside the foot ring, the "Taisha" stamp, proof of the Taisha Kiln, is clearly impressed, demonstrating high perfection as a handcrafted, one-of-a-kind piece.
Measuring a compact and refined dimension of approx. 5.3 cm in height and approx. 6.0 cm in mouth diameter that fits comfortably in the hand, our shop proposes this work as a dignified "Japanese-style shot glass (Japanese liquor vessel)" for slowly savoring aged spirits, premium whiskey, matured sake, or liquor straight neat, tailored to modern drinking culture and refined lifestyles. The warm texture of the ash-glazed ground, the vivid leaf pattern of the Shinyote technique, and the subdued, robust clay texture of the foot ring beautifully complement the colors of poured amber-toned aged spirits or clear liquors. An authentic masterpiece born from the fusion of nature from the sacred grounds of Keta Taisha with Western-style painting and Kutani ceramic techniques, this piece allows one to savor the true essence of traditional Japanese craft through both sight and touch.
- Artist: Tadashi Isomi (1923–1999)
- Artist's Representative Career Highlights: Studied under Hakutei Ishii and Tojiro Kitade. After graduating from the predecessor of Kanazawa College of Art, opened Noto Taisha Ware in 1948. Selected for Nitten numerous times, exhibited as Ishikawa Prefecture representative at the 5th Ministry of Education Selected Exhibition, received Ishikawa Prefecture Cultural Activity Encouragement Award and the 7th Hokkoku Fusetsu Award.
- Public Collections & Ceramic Murals: Created numerous large ceramic wall reliefs for public facilities such as National Noto Youth Center, Hakui City Cultural Hall, and Hakui City Hall.
- Production Period: 1989–early 1990s (around early Heisei era)
- Item Condition: Very Good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Dedicated paulownia wooden box (Tomobako) included (with calligraphy "Shuhai, Tadashi" and seal), wrapping cloth (with seal) included, work explanation pamphlets (ceramic history, Shinyote) included
- Material: Ceramic / Porcelain (Shinyote real leaf technique, ash glaze)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 5.3 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.0 cm
- Note: The items provided by our shop were produced a very long time ago and are all listed as pre-owned items. Please understand and confirm the age-related changes before considering your purchase.
