KISARAGI GAMA Small Kohiki tea cup

Description

The small kohiki tea cup are made from local clay that Yukinoura Yuichi collects himself in Morioka. To improve the plasticity of the distinctive local clay, Yukinoura-sensei blends it with a small amount of Shigaraki clay.

The iron-rich clay is ideally suited for kohiki. The kohiki technique originally came from Korea. It was intended to transform humble, dark clay vessels into accessible imitations of porcelain by applying a brushed white slip. Today, kohiki—whether brushed (hakeme) or dipped—is highly regarded in Japan as a distinct style in its own right.

Yukinoura-sensei’s small kohiki tea cup reveal the reddish clay beneath through the varying thickness of the applied white slip. At the same time, numerous iron bursts appear as small black speckles, giving each bowl a unique pattern. Small feldspar pops and crackles can also be found, further attesting to the individuality of each piece.

The form, like that of the Kaiyū tea cups, is delicate and typical for steeped Japanese green teas such as sencha or bancha. Surprisingly light, the bowl sits comfortably in the hand. The foot is low, and the base is trimmed in a spiral, set apart from the body by a graceful groove.

Yukinoura-sensei’s signature can be seen on the side.

KISARAGI GAMA – YUKINOURA Yuichi

Originally, Yukinoura Yuichi studied mathematics before turning to ceramics. His fascination with numbers can be seen in his creations, starting with their geometric forms.

Yukinoura-sensei established his workshop, Kisaragi Gama, in Morioka, Iwate—an unusual region for ceramics, as the local clay is generally considered unsuitable. After many trials, however, he succeeded in mastering the clay and bringing out its unique character.

The glazes are also locally sourced. Iwate is known as a region of apple orchards. From various apple tree varieties, Yukinoura-sensei methodically developed his ash glaze (Kaiyū). The result is a beautifully poetic ceramic in natural tones, with a vitrifying ash glaze that enlivens the ware like sparkling glass.