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

This Shino yunomi by Hayashi Shotaro displays the distinctive feldspathic glaze and richly textured surface for which the artist is known. The cylindrical form is subtly irregular, giving the piece a natural presence that feels both deliberate and spontaneous. The thick shino glaze softens the contours and develops a pale, milky tone marked by crackling, pinholing, and areas of vivid iron-induced coloration. Orange blushes arise where the glaze thins or the flame has brushed the surface, while darker mineral traces accent the vertical movement of the form.

The interior is smoothly glazed for comfort in use, contrasting with the more rugged exterior. The foot is confidently carved and bears Hayashi’s mark, further affirming the work’s authenticity. The piece is preserved in its original signed tomobako.

Dimensions

9.8cm(h) x 7.3cm(w)

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.