Oribe Kezuri-otoshi Carved Yunomi Teacup

An Oribe teacup made by Kazufumi Wada, the fourth-generation potter at Keizan kiln in Toki City, Gifu Prefecture. The surface of each vessel, thrown on the wheel, is carved and finished by hand, one piece at a time. There is something quietly stylish about it, and it settles easily into the everyday table.

The glaze is the Oribe glaze that has long been the foundation of Keizan kiln. Built on green, it develops gradations and pools depending on how the glaze settles. The carved marks shift in appearance with the way the light falls on them.

Wada selects and blends the clay and the glaze himself. Using carving tools and metal blades, he shaves the surface away little by little. It is work that demands concentration, skill, and time.

Even with the same clay, the same technique, and the same glaze, the colors that emerge from the firing differ. Variations in glaze density, pooling, drips, uneven color, and iron spots are individual characteristics born within the kiln. Small blemishes and slight warping are likewise not flaws, and do not affect use.

The uneven beauty of the carved marks cannot be reproduced by machine. What is made by hand sits well in the hand. It feels stable, and holds about 400cc. Since it takes a generous pour of hot tea, it is also perfect as a teacup for sushi.