Bizen Guinomi

This is a new Bizen sake cup, fresh from the kiln in June, by Takashi Soga, who challenges the beauty of the past by recreating the same environment in which ancient Bizen ware was fired. To replicate the style of the Old Bizen era, no refractory bricks or modern materials were used; consequently, the kiln was fired under conditions that defy all modern logic regarding heat efficiency. As a result, it exhibits a superb clay texture that transcends contemporary aesthetics and approaches that of Old Bizen. This work, which could be called Soga's signature style of ash-covered yohen, features a sophisticated Old Bizen-style clay texture peeking through the gaps in a rich, thick layer of natural ash glaze. Soga-sensei’s clay texture has always possessed a unique flavor that captivates Old Bizen fans, but in this piece, delicate heat control has produced a soft, beautiful orange hue. It is meticulously finished, and combined with the inherently fine texture of the clay, it creates a wonderful tactile quality that makes you want to keep rolling it in your palm forever. It is a fascinating piece that makes the dream of using an Old Bizen sake cup a reality. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 6.1cm × 6.1cm × H5.6cm Takashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984. He studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his kiln in Kukui, Bizen City, in 2012. He became independent and began his career as a ceramic artist in 2013.