Bizen Yunomi

This is a Bizen tea cup by Hisanaga Koide, who has finally made his long-awaited debut after completing a long apprenticeship under Juro Harada. It features an exceptionally striking, bold firing and a rustic form, in which one can clearly feel the spirit of Harada’s philosophy embedded in the work. Most impressive is the substantial coil-built construction; while it exudes a dynamic presence in the palm of your hand—reminiscent of an earthen pipe—it retains a comfortable weight, a testament to Koide’s masterful skill. The energetic quality of the clay, inherited from Juro Harada, is naturally magnificent, but the texture inside is particularly remarkable, having taken on a unique charcoal-gray hue due to the kiln-steaming process. This creates a deeply tasteful color, further enhanced by the spatula marks made to lighten the piece after forming, which imbue it with an indescribable astringency. When tea is poured inside, this area becomes moist, radiating a charm that is truly extraordinary. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 8.8cm × Diameter 8.4cm × Height 9.2cm Hisanaga Koide was born in Amagasaki, Hyogo Prefecture, in 1978. He became an apprentice to Juro Harada in 1997. In 2011, he became independent and built an ascending kiln (noborigama) in Ushimado-cho, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture. He fired his first kiln in 2013.