Moriwaki Hiroyuki White Bizen Guinomi with Crab, Paulownia Box

A white Bizen sake cup by Moriwaki Hiroyuki, with a small, carefully sculpted crab clambering over the rim.

Bizen ware from Imbe in Okayama is fired unglazed in wood kilns, and alongside its vessels it has long been known for saikumono, finely sculpted figures. Shiro-bizen (white Bizen) uses a pale clay body instead of the usual iron-rich earth, giving a quiet ground for modelled detail. Moriwaki Hiroyuki has devoted 35 years to saikumono, studied under Suzuki Tsuneki and been selected many times for the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition; in 2019 he dedicated a pair of Bizen komainu to Hirohata Hachimangu. The crab is modelled so that it seems about to scuttle off. A single piece; the paulownia box is made to order and adds 1–2 weeks.

Details

• Artist: Moriwaki Hiroyuki (森脇弘行), Bizen
• Title: Shiro-bizen kani guinomi (白備前 蟹ぐい呑)
• Material: white Bizen stoneware
• Size: approx. 8.5 cm wide × 7 cm high; 160 g; approx. 80 ml
• Box: paulownia box (桐箱), made after order
• Condition: new

Watch: how Bizen ware is made and wood-fired

A film on Bizen, one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, from the official Six Ancient Kilns Japan Heritage council channel. (A general craft video — not this piece or maker.)

Please read before ordering

• One of a kind. We confirm availability with the dealer in Japan within one business day of your order; if it has sold we refund in full immediately.
• Ships from New Jersey in 2–3 weeks. Price includes all import duties. Fully insured, signature required.
• Professionally double-boxed for shipping.