Bizen ware teacup

This is a yunomi (tea cup) by Shusaku Taku, an artist who shapes his work using the daily inspirations he gathers while staying close to the enduring traditions of Bizen ware. Slowly formed on the potter's wheel, this piece features a slightly wide shape with a dignified waist and a refined shoulder, which suit it beautifully. When held, the thumb and index finger fit perfectly into the tapered shoulder, a functional design that is much appreciated for Bizen ware, which tends to conduct heat. The piece is finished with a slip rich in iron content, resulting in a masterpiece where vibrant blue and yellow "goma" (ash glaze) patterns stand out against the lustrous ochre-colored clay. (*Please note in advance that there is some peeling of the ash glaze on the rim.)


Interview with Shusaku Taku No box
Diameter 8.3cm x 8.2cm x Height 9.3cm Shusaku Taku was born in 1980 as the eldest son of Mamoru Taku. In 2001, he graduated from the Arita College of Ceramics in Saga Prefecture and began his apprenticeship under his father. In 2002, he received the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education Superintendent's Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Chugoku Branch Exhibition. In 2004, he won the Excellence Award at the Tanabe Museum of Art "Chanoyu" Formative Arts Exhibition. He has also been selected for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Kogei Chugoku Branch Exhibition.