Bizen Hand-Formed Tea Set

This is a Bizen hand-molded tea set by Shoji Hirakawa, an artist known for his warm, handcrafted wares, having learned the art of pottery from his brother-in-law, Koya Suzuki. Featuring motifs of pine, bamboo, and plum, this auspicious tea set is perfect for the New Year season. While each intricate detail is exquisitely crafted, the design is carefully balanced to ensure the beauty of the hand-molded teapot's curves remains the centerpiece. The teapot exhibits a reductive-fired aesthetic with overall grey and bluish tones, while the cooling bowl features an oxidative-fired finish with bright sesame and earthy hues, allowing you to enjoy two distinct styles in one set. Original wooden box (shiho-san) included
Teapot: 11.6cm x 9.5cm x 8.0cm (height)
Cooling bowl: 12.1cm x 9.5cm x 5.2cm (height) Shoji Hirakawa began learning the craft of detailed ceramic work from his brother-in-law, Koya Suzuki, around 1950, and became independent following Suzuki's passing in 1972. Eschewing the potter's wheel, he creates all his pieces by hand, valuing the warmth that comes from the maker's touch. He has presented ceramic family crest tiles to prestigious historical Japanese families such as the Tokugawa, Ikeda, and Mori clans, and in 1992, he donated a pair of vases with chrysanthemum and water patterns to the Minatogawa Shrine in Kobe. In 2001, he created a ceramic tile featuring cherry blossoms and an anchor for a monument erected at Hofu Tenmangu Shrine by former members of the Imperial Japanese Navy Preparatory Flight Training Program.