Sake cup with standing crane by Takahashi Dohachi

Width: 5.36cm Height: 5.19cm

The slightly elevated base gives the chair a light, airy posture.

The vessel is based on a cylindrical shape that is slightly tall compared to its diameter, with a slightly tapered body and an elegant silhouette that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand. The base features a **warikodai**, a notch cut on three sides, giving the vessel the appearance of being lightly raised. This "floating feeling" echoes the slender figure of the standing crane, creating a dignified presence on the table.

Snow-white powder and subtle honte

This porcelain ware is finished with a powdered glaze, which is created by applying a white decorative coating to the clay body and then a transparent glaze on top. The pale pink-beige "Gohon" pattern, created by reduction firing, appears subtly on the lower part of the body, adding a touch of warmth to the white surface. The fine crazing marks absorb sake over time, allowing you to enjoy the aging process as they develop an amber color.

Standing crane drawn in one stroke

The crane painted on the front of the cup is expressed through a minimalist contrast between the white outline and the black iron paint. The standing pose, with head held high and one leg folded, is a classic pose symbolizing longevity and good fortune. Combined with the lightness of the split base, the sake cup itself takes on the dignity of a crane flipping its body.

A fusion of scraping and iron painting

The outline of the crane is carved using a line engraving technique , in which a coating of clay is applied and then scraped away with a fine brush to expose the base material. A transparent glaze is then applied on top, which softly blends the outline and allows the white skin to stand out naturally. The black of the beak, tail feathers, and talons is added with iron pigment just before the final firing and is fixed by a second firing. The intricate kiln-hand technique, which achieves the contrast between black and white in one go, shines through.

History - Auspicious omen of cranes and wari-takadai

Cranes are believed to live for a thousand years, and have since ancient times adorned celebratory sake cups for weddings, seasonal festivals, and New Year's celebrations. Meanwhile, the "waritakadai" (walled base) design, seen on tea bowls from the Muromachi to Momoyama periods, embodies the auspicious meanings of "opening up" and "expanding horizons." This piece combines these two auspicious symbols, and was created as a vessel that invites good fortune to drinking parties. Takahashi Michihachi is a renowned master of Kyoto-style ware, but he also sublimates the essence of simple Japanese pottery, such as kohiki (powdered glaze) and waritakadai (walled base), into sophisticated forms, achieving a quality that blends seamlessly into the modern evening drinking scene.

The Takahashi Dohachi family has been known as a prestigious Kyoto ware colored ware family since the late Edo period. The ninth generation master graduated from Kyoto Bunkyo Junior College, majoring in fashion design, and then went on to study molding and research at the Kyoto Prefectural Ceramic Technical College, and further solidified his technical foundation at the Kyoto Industrial Research Institute.

In 1996, he began to study pottery under his father, Dohachi Yashiro, and began making pottery in earnest.

In 2012, he took on the name of the 9th Takahashi Dohachi

His style, which combines the sense of form cultivated through clothing design with the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware, breathes new life into the Dohachika style and displays a refinement that stands out in modern tea ceremony and gallery spaces.

With a standing crane standing majestically against a powdered glaze resembling snow, and a high base casting a light shadow, this hon-guinomi cup is a masterpiece that exudes the "elegance of tranquility" both visually and tactilely. Pour cold sake into it, and the crystal clear liquid shines brightly against the white surface, while pour hot sake into it, and the pale pink of the cup takes on a subtle warmth. It is perfect for everyday drinking, as well as for celebratory occasions and a New Year's drink. We hope you will savor this cup for many years to come, and savor the view of the deepening crazing and the exquisite design of Takahashi Michihachi.