Hiro Ajiki (安食ひろ), Japanese (b. 1948)

An Oribe Sake Cup (於里辺 酒盃)

Heisei Era (1989-2019) 

About the work

A distinctive Oribe sake cup by Hiro Ajiki, a highly individual ceramic artist whose work bridges traditional Japanese tea culture and a deeply personal artistic vision. The cup is formed in an irregular, hand-built shape with a gently flaring profile and expressive contours, embodying the spontaneity and asymmetry that define the aesthetics of Oribe ware.

The vessel is decorated with freely painted motifs of grasses and foliage in soft green and brown enamels, set against a creamy feldspathic glaze. Areas of exposed iron-rich clay emerge around the foot and exterior, creating a pleasing contrast between the refined painted decoration and the earthy character of the body. The slightly distorted rim and textured surface enhance the sense of movement and vitality, while the intimate scale makes the piece particularly suited for enjoying sake or as a small tea utensil.

Ajiki's ceramics are celebrated for their combination of traditional Japanese ceramic vocabulary and a spirit of experimentation shaped by decades of travel and cultural exchange. This work reflects his appreciation for the natural world and the beauty of imperfection, qualities deeply rooted in the philosophy of the tea ceremony.

The sake cup is accompanied by its original signed wooden storage box (tomobako).

Dimensions

4.7cm(h) x 8.7cm(w) x 8.2cm(d)

Footnote

Hiro Ajiki (安食ひろ, born 1948) is a Japanese ceramic artist from Izumo, Shimane Prefecture, whose work is deeply rooted in the aesthetics of tea culture while drawing inspiration from a lifetime of travel and cultural exploration. After leaving Musashino Art University in 1969, he spent several years travelling through India, Europe, and Africa, experiences that profoundly shaped his artistic vision. His continued engagement with global ceramic traditions included visits to pottery centres in India and Egypt and the organisation of tea gatherings and exhibitions across Asia, Europe, and North America.