Takeharu Kobayashi (小林武春), Japanese (b. 1943)

A Shino-Glazed Yunomi Tea Cup (志野湯呑)

Showa Era (1926-1989), Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

A robust and expressive yunomi tea cup by Takeharu Kobayashi. The yunomi is coated in a thick, feldspathic white Shino glaze, accented with spontaneous iron spotting and subtle reddish scorch marks, resulting from the dynamic firing process. The surface texture and the palpable character of the clay are hallmarks of Kobayashi’s work and of Shino aesthetics.

The cup’s strong form is balanced by its inviting presence—equally suited for daily use or as an object of contemplation. It comes housed in its original signed wooden tomobako (共箱), which bears the artist’s seal and calligraphy.

Dimensions

9.6cm(h) x 7.5cm(w)cm

Footnote

Born in 1943 in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture, a historical center of Mino pottery, Takeharu Kobayashi established his kiln, Chikurin-gama, in Hida in 1970. He is celebrated for his expertise in Shino ware and his bold, individualistic style. Alongside traditional Shino and Nezumi Shino, he has developed original variations such as Murasaki Shino (purple), Hisai Shino (scarlet), and Akebono Shino (dawn). Through his dedication to form, glaze, and the spirit of Mino ceramics, Kobayashi continues to expand the expressive potential of Shino ware.