Takami Katsuyo (高見勝代) Japanese, b.1947

A Bizen Yunomi (備前湯呑)

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

About the work

This Bizen yunomi by Takami Katsuyo presents a quiet, understated form enriched by the natural qualities of Bizen clay and the long, oxygen-free firing that defines the tradition. The gently tapering cylindrical body retains subtle irregularities from hand forming, giving the cup a warm, tactile presence. Soft reddish earthen tones dominate the surface, interspersed with granular texture and small ash deposits. These variations arise entirely from the firing process, highlighting the clay’s mineral character. The interior is smoothly finished for comfortable use, while the carved foot bears the artist’s mark. 

The piece is complete with its original tomobako, cloth, and documentation.

Dimensions

9.2cm(h) x 8.3cm(w)

Footnote

Takami Katsuyo was born in 1947 in Okayama Prefecture. After graduating high school, she worked in the local ceramic industry before studying under the Bizen artist Inoue Yoshika in 1966. She later joined the East Chugoku Branch of the Japan Kōgei Association and continued to refine her approach to Bizen ware, blending traditional methods with a sensibility shaped by her own perspective. Her work emphasizes modest, functional forms and the quiet aesthetic of unglazed Bizen clay, earning recognition within regional exhibitions and through her long career as a ceramic artist.