Baba Takashi (馬場隆志), Japanese, b. 1983

A Bizen Black Guinomi 

Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

This Bizen black guinomi by Baba Takashi presents a powerful, compact form shaped by both hand and flame. The cup is low and rounded with a slightly compressed profile, while the rim is irregular and subtly notched, creating a sense of movement and tension. These deliberate distortions lend the vessel a rugged, sculptural presence that feels immediate and tactile in the hand.

The surface is finished in deep, dark Bizen tones achieved through reduction firing, ranging from charcoal black to iron rich brown. Vertical glaze runs and natural ash markings descend across the body, recording the path of heat and flame within the kiln. Matte areas contrast with softly vitrified surfaces, adding visual depth and texture. The interior is smoothly fired and darker in tone, suitable for use, while the foot reveals exposed clay and firing marks that ground the piece materially.

Both intimate and expressive, this guinomi balances functionality with the raw aesthetic central to contemporary Bizen ware. The piece is accompanied by its original wooden storage box, confirming authenticity.

Dimensions

5.3cm(h) x 7cm(w) x 6.7cm(d)

Footnote

Baba Takashi, born in 1983, is a contemporary ceramic artist and the eldest son of renowned Bizen potter Baba Shosuke. Raised in an environment steeped in Bizen tradition, he developed an early connection to clay while pursuing formal training in sculpture, graduating from the Tokyo University of the Arts in 2006. His sculptural background informs his ceramic practice, emphasizing form, surface, and physical presence. Baba has exhibited internationally, including The Power of Bizen in London in 2015, Fuori Salone in Milan, and POSITIONS Berlin Art Fair. His work centers on ceramics as functional objects that seamlessly unite art and utility.