Bizen Yohen Guinomi

Bizen Guinomi by Tomoyuki Matsui (circa 1999)

A former instructor at a ceramics center who dedicated himself to training the next generation, Tomoyuki Matsui created this earlier Bizen sake cup. A career record enclosed up to 1999 suggests the piece was made around that time.

Across the surface, Kigoma, Sangiri, and koge-goma fuse and cling to the body—an authoritative firing landscape characteristic of Matsui’s robust kiln work.

Inside the well, within the shadow of the botamochi (the circular mark left by a refractory disc), Hidasuki has been applied; under a strong reduction atmosphere, the Hidasuki itself has taken on a golden sheen, lending quiet richness to the interior.

The lightly undulating rim displays a textbook, poised movement—very much in keeping with an educator’s hand—and promises excellent usability.

Though an earlier work, it remains in excellent condition with no noticeable soiling or signs of use.