Whiskey Barrel Ash Glaze Yunomi (handcrafted: pair)

This was previously a regular item and was hugely popular. The artist has reworked the design and we have brought it back to our line because of many requests from our customers.

Handcrafted teacup: 90ml (3.17fl oz) each, diameter: 3.35inch (8.5cm) height: 2.17inch (5.5cm)
Sophisticated Shiagaraki-Yaki
Made by Hozan Tanii

The glaze of this Yunomi is made from the ash of whisky barrels from Suntory, the largest and most traditional whisky manufacturer in Japan. The whisky barrels were made from 100-year old white oak trees, and were used at Suntory for 50 to 60 years.

The atmosphere created by the glaze made from whisky barrel ash is one of stars and planets in distant galaxies. The design is created using two different kinds of whisky barrel ash glaze and is quite unique and subtle.

Your eye will also focus on the bottom of the Yunomi, on which the earthen surface appears. It is called "Tsuchi Mise" meaning "showing soil" and is one of the most traditional and difficult techniques used for the highest grade Raku Yaki matcha bowls. The earthen surface is finished with a rough texture in order to create the WABI-SABI atmosphere. To create this unique texture, some efforts and techniques are required, for example unique innovations of clay blending and shaping.

Of course, from a functional view point this Yunomi is well thought out and of an ideal design. This Yunomi is thin ceramic in order to enjoy the subtle flavor of high quality Japanese tea, which tastes best when served in a thin ceramic cup. Most Shigaraki Yaki pottery is too thick to enjoy high quality Japanese tea. To create thin Shigaraki Yaki requires many efforts. For example, Hozan Tanii collects his own clay from the mountain, and is continuously experimenting with new ceramic and glaze formulations and techniques to perfect his designs.

The contrast of two atmospheres, sophistication brought by whisky barrel ash glaze and rough texture brought by traditional Raku Yaki technique "Tsuchi Mise" are subtle and artistic. Upon using this Yunomi, one can realize the care and sophisticated technique employed by the artist.

Specially packaged in a carton box.
Lead-free. Made in Japan.

Price:US$95.00

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Hozan Tanii

Hozan Tanii was born in 1953. He graduated from the technical art department at Osaka Art University. And he took over the third generation of Tanikan Kiln in 1983. He is one of only a few artisans who explore the infinite beauty, depth, and range of clay itself, in contrast to the many artisans who explore glaze colors or printing. He has and makes full use of fourteen kinds of kilns and several tens of thousands kinds of glaze in order to bring out the boundlessness possibility of earthen clay. He frequently goes to the mountain in Shigaraki where he lives and collects clay. He has continued to experiment using the clay he finds and tries to bring out the infinite possibility of clay for over 30 years. All of his arts are well-planned and elaborated in various view points, beauty, function, usefulness, and so on. In addition, made from sustainable natural elements, his creations work symbiotically with the earth's ecosystem.

Directions

- It is best to wash this item using only tepid water or mild chlorine-free dish washing detergent.
- After use, please dry thoroughly. Otherwise, it could possibly get moldy.
- If necessary, you may occasionally use a chlorine detergent. In that case, after using the chlorine detergent, we recommend you boil this item in water to remove the chlorine smell.
- Do not wash in a dish washing machine.

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