Guinomi “Iga Shigaraki”

This is a new sake cup titled "Iga Shigaraki" by Toru Ichikawa, who made a striking debut after studying under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. It is an exceptionally inventive work that epitomizes Ichikawa’s style of giving shape to his endlessly overflowing ideas through the supreme medium of clay. Ichikawa has rearranged "Shigaraki"—counted as one of the Six Ancient Kilns alongside Bizen—into a highly impressive piece titled "Iga Shigaraki." Using Shigaraki-style clay base and applying a generous coating of pale green ash glaze, he has achieved a beautiful contrast of scarlet and light green worthy of the name Iga Shigaraki. However, rather than simply leaving it to the clay and glaze, he engages them head-on with unique cutting techniques; the strata of clay created by his skillful spatula work react with the glaze to produce fascinating gradations. Furthermore, the gold leaf accents, a hallmark of Ichikawa's work, are applied throughout, completing a style brimming with originality. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 7.2cm × Diameter 6.8cm × Height 5.7cm Toru Ichikawa was born in Tokyo. He began his apprenticeship under Ryuichi Kakurezaki in June 2011 and established his own studio in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, in January 2015.