Bizen Hidasuki Shuhai

This is a Bizen Hidasuki Guinomi by Kei Fujiwara, a beloved artist known for his bold yet gentle style.

Judging from its style and firing, this piece likely dates from his mid-career period. It features the distinctive red clay tones and bold Hidasuki lines typical of the Fujiwara family.

The cup has a large, open form created with fluent wheel-throwing, reflecting Kei Fujiwara’s reputation as a heavy drinker who favored generously shaped sake vessels.

The surface is covered with deep Hidasuki markings over a matte red clay body that resembles unglazed earthenware in texture. The vivid orange lines, formed by burning rice straw, appear almost as if the straw’s essence was condensed and transferred directly onto the piece. The contrast between the matte body and the glossy Hidasuki marks gives the piece a striking visual character.

Inside the cup, the texture shifts noticeably—smooth and smoky from the straw’s combustion—creating a lovely contrast to the exterior. It's a piece that invites you to enjoy not just sake, but also the evolving character of its surface as you drink.

He was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture in 1899.
He was a writer, but became a potter in 1940.
He was designated a Living National Treasure in 1970.
He died in 1983.