Takahiro Ishii (石井隆寛), Japanese (b. 1977)

A Kiln-Transformed Guinomi (窯変ぐい呑)

Heisei Era (1989–2019) or Reiwa Era (2019 – present)

About the work

A striking kiln-transformed guinomi by contemporary ceramic artist Takahiro Ishii, whose innovative work builds upon the centuries-old traditions of Bizen ware while embracing a highly individual approach to glaze and firing. This sake cup demonstrates Ishii's distinctive fusion of natural ash effects, mineral-rich surfaces, and controlled glaze application, resulting in a vessel that is both deeply rooted in tradition and unmistakably contemporary.

The guinomi is hand-built in an irregular cylindrical form with gently faceted walls and a slightly undulating rim, inviting a tactile appreciation from every angle. The surface is dramatically divided into contrasting planes: one side displays warm sandy clay framed by flowing bands of amber and iron-rich brown glaze, while the opposing side reveals richly textured grey and olive-green natural kiln effects. Areas of vivid green ash accumulation and subtle mineral crystallisation emerge where the intense heat of the kiln has transformed the applied materials, producing the distinctive yōhen (kiln transformation) for which the work is titled.

The base bears the artist's impressed seal, and the guinomi is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako) and original wrapping cloth.

Dimensions

6.3cm(h) x 6cm(w) x 5.6cm(d)

Footnote

Takahiro Ishii (b. 1977) is a contemporary Japanese ceramic artist known for reinterpreting the Bizen tradition through innovative firing techniques and experimental surface treatments. Born in Tokyo, he studied under acclaimed Bizen master Ryuichi Kakurezaki in 2000 before establishing his own studio in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture, in 2006. Working with Bizen clay enriched by carefully selected minerals, metal oxides, and glazes, Ishii seeks new forms of expression that unite traditional craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics. His work has been exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions, including the Contemporary Chanoyu Style "Enishi" exhibition in Tokyo (2011), Contemporary Japanese Design at the Milan Salone (2013), the Contemporary Ceramic Salon Tosei in Osaka (2018), and Contemporary Chanoyu Style "Yuraku" in Aichi (2019).