Hayashi Shotaro (林正太郎), Japanese (b. 1947)

A Shino Yunomi (志野湯呑)

Showa Era (1926-1989), Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

A refined yunomi (tea cup) by Hayashi Shotaro, a master potter renowned for his command of Shino ware and one of the leading ceramic voices of the Mino tradition in the 20th century. This piece exemplifies his sensitivity to clay, fire, and form, where rusticity and elegance meet in quiet harmony.

The cup is gently tapered with a wide mouth and generous foot, its surface covered in soft, milky-white feldspar glaze. Beneath the glaze, subtle iron-painted markings and areas of pinholing reveal warm orange blushes—hi-iro (fire color)—that emerge from the intense reduction firing unique to Shino kilns. The work is both humble in its function and noble in its presence, capturing the wabi-sabi aesthetic that defines Japanese tea culture.

Accompanied by the original tomobako (signed wooden box), this yunomi is a collectible object of everyday beauty. 

Dimensions

9.5cm(h) x 7.2cm(w) x 6.8cm(d)

Footnote

Hayashi Shotaro, born in 1947 in Toki City—a region renowned for its Mino ceramics—initially pursued a career as a salaryman in Nagoya before returning to his roots to study pottery under his brother. His innate talent soon flourished, earning him accolades such as the highest award at the Gifu Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1968 and the Governor’s Award at the Asahi Ceramic Exhibition in 1971.

An official Beholder of Intangible Cultural Property of the Mino Prefecture, Hayashi has had his works included in numerous museum collections both in Japan and internationally. His robust forms and masterful use of traditional Shino techniques have cemented his status as one of the foremost figures in modern Japanese ceramics, while his contemporary innovations, such as the Manyosai glaze, continue to inspire new generations of ceramic artists.