Hon'ami Kōsen (本阿弥光仙) Japanese (1900–1985)

A Nezumi Shino Ware (鼠志野) Sake Cup

Showa Era (1926-1989) 

About the work

An exceptional, highly tactile Nezumi Shino (Mouse-grey Shino) tea cup (Yunomi / Sake cup / Guinomi) by Hon'ami Kōsen (本阿弥光仙, 1900–1985), the 15th-generation direct descendant of the legendary Momoyama-era polymath Hon'ami Kōetsu (1558–1637).

This piece showcases Kōsen's expressive hand-sculpted technique (te-tsukune). The vessel features an iron-rich slip beneath a milky feldspathic glaze, producing the deep slate-grey and dark chocolate tones characteristic of Nezumi Shino. Bold white incised geometric patterns cut through the dark slip, revealing the brilliant white glaze beneath, accented by characteristic pinholes (yuzu-hada or citron skin) and a richly textured, rustic rim.

Given its compact size (6–6.5 cm wide by 4.5 cm high), this versatile vessel serves exquisitely as a small teacup (yunomi), a refined Japanese sake cup (guinomi), or a prized display piece for tea ceremony enthusiasts (senchadō / chanoyu).

Dimensions

6 - 6.5 (w) x 4.5 (h) cm

Footnote

Hon'ami Kōsen was the 15th-generation direct descendant of Hon'ami Kōetsu, one of Japan’s most celebrated cultural figures. Following his family's multi-century tradition, Kōsen worked as a master sword polisher (togishi) and official appraiser (kantei) prior to World War II. Following the war, he transitioned into ceramics and established the Hon'ami Kiln (本阿弥窯), creating hand-formed Raku and Shino wares that earned deep trust and high acclaim among the prestigious Senke tea schools (Omotesenke, Urasenke, Mushakōjisenke).