Furutani Michio (古谷道生) 1946–2000

A Shigaraki Guinomi (信楽 ぐい呑)

Showa Era (1926-1989) or  Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

A deeply expressive guinomi (sake cup) by Furutani Michio, a master of wood-fired ceramics and one of the most revered figures in the modern revival of Shigaraki and Iga ware. This sake cup is a powerful example of Furutani’s unique approach, where clay, fire, and spirit converge to create raw, elemental beauty.

Hand-formed with a robust, naturalist profile, the guinomi was fired in a traditional anagama (single-chambered kiln), allowing flame and ash to shape its final surface. Layers of ash glazing and kiln-scorched tones wrap around the form, ranging from luminous greens and deep charred blacks to soft, vitrified earth tones. A generous footing and slight distortion in the rim reflect the wabi-sabi ethos that defines Furutani’s work: beauty through imperfection, transience, and nature's unpredictability.

Presented with its original tomobako (signed wooden box), protective cloth, and documentation.

Dimensions

5.4cm(h) x 6.7cm(w)

Footnote

Furutani Michio was a master of Shigaraki ware and a leading figure in the revival of the traditional anagama kiln. Born in Shigaraki, he dedicated his life to wood-fired ceramics, building over thirty kilns and pioneering techniques that created rich natural ash glazes (shizen-yū) and glassy biidoro effects. Celebrated for his raw, elemental forms, Furutani received major honors including the Japan Ceramic Society Prize. His legacy lives on through his writings, his influence on contemporary wood-firing, and the ongoing work of his son, Furutani Kazuya.