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

A Shino Guinomi 

初窯 (first firing) commemoration day in October 1979 

About the work

This finely crafted guinomi (sake cup) is an authentic work by Hayashi Shotaro, a leading modern ceramic artist noted for his masterful interpretations of Shino and Oribe traditions. The cup presents a warm, tactile surface with a soft pale glaze that carries a natural texture of crawling and fine pinholing, giving it a lively organic character. Delicate accents of deep blue and white emerge across the surface in painterly fashion, resembling blossoms against the clay’s muted ground. 

The guinomi is accompanied by its original signed and sealed wooden storage box (tomobako), protective cloth, and explanatory leaflet, ensuring authenticity and preservation. Together, these elements highlight the artist’s intent to create a work of lasting cultural and aesthetic value.

Dimensions

5cm(h) x 6.3cm(w)x 6.2cm(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.