Width: 8.3cm Height: 5.9cm
The "Shiryuuyu Wari Takadai Sake Cup" by Yuichi Ikai is a work that perfectly combines practicality and artistry. A wari-takadai is a shape formed by cutting or dividing a part of the pedestal that is made at the bottom of the vessel. This unique shape is known as an element that gives tea bowls and sake cups their unique beauty and individuality.
The beauty of the split pedestalThe split pedestal of this sake cup is a highlight of the skilled craftsmanship. Although sake cups and tea bowls are usually vessels for savoring beverages, in the world of tea ceremony they are also highly valued as objects of appreciation. In this piece, the design of the split pedestal creates a unique rhythm for the entire sake cup, captivating the viewer. The split part of the pedestal harmonizes with the overall design of the vessel, and one of the charms of this piece is that it shows different expressions depending on the angle from which it is viewed.
The charm of Hakuryuu glazeThis sake cup is coated with Hakuryuu glaze, and its smooth white glaze envelops the entire vessel.The transparency and soft texture of the Hakuryuu glaze give the sake cup a calm elegance, and the beauty of the shape from the inside to the foot is outstanding.In addition, the subtle shadows created by the thickness of the Hakuryuu glaze give the sake cup depth and dimension.
The highlight of the whole piece is the "White Flow Glazed Split-Based Sake Cup," which is packed with highlights down to the smallest detail. You can feel Ikai Yuichi's skill and sensibility in every part of it, from the delicate lines of the rim, the smoothness of the base, the shape of the body, the beautiful curves of the waist, and the unique design of the split-based base. This piece is not just a vessel for tasting sake, but also a masterpiece that is fun to look at.
The "Shirakuyuu-yu Wari Takadai Sake Cup" by Yuichi Ikai is sure to bring you new discoveries and joy every time you use it in your daily life.
Yuichi Ikai Biography
1963 (1963)
Born into a pottery merchant in Gojozaka, Kyoto
1983 (1983)
Graduated from Kyoto Prefectural Pottery Training School, Molding Department
1984 (1984)
・Completed ceramics training at Kyoto Municipal Industrial Research Institute
・Under the guidance of the late Mr. Uichi Shimizu, a holder of the Important Intangible Cultural Property,
June: Kihei Kiln opens (from the shop name, Kihei the Sixth)
・Studied under Uichi and Yasutaka Shimizu
1985 (1985)
・First time selected for the Japan Crafts Association Kinki Branch Exhibition (continuously selected thereafter)
・Participated in the Cheramista Exhibition
1986 (1986)
・First time selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition
1987 (1987)
・Permitted to exhibit at the Family Exhibition, Horai-kai (Ikebukuro Seibu) and Uzuki-kai (Osaka Matsuzakaya)
・Received the Matsushita Award at the Japan Crafts Association Kinki Branch Exhibition
・Dog Exhibition: Leading the Way in Kyoto, Kyoto Daimaru
1988 (1988)
・Participation in Chabikai Kyoto Myrieme
1989 (1989)
・Founding of the Earth Children Association (named by Uichi Shimizu)
・Received the Encouragement Award at the Japan Crafts Association Kinki Branch Exhibition
1990 (1990)
・First solo exhibition at Kuroda Touen in Ginza
・Solo exhibition at Mizutama, Itabashi
1993 (1993)
・Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi, Osaka (continues to be held)
1994 (1994)
・Certified as a regular member of the Japan Crafts Association
・Solo exhibition at Gallery Kiyomizu, Matsuyama (will continue to be held in the future)
・Received the Encouragement Award at the Saga Daikakuji Flower Ceramics Exhibition
1995 (1995)
・Solo exhibition at Daimaru, Kyoto (still held afterwards)
・Solo exhibition at Hankyu Kobe (continues to be held)
1996 (1996)
・The workshop was moved to Hiyoshicho, Nantan City, Kyoto Prefecture.
・Solo exhibition at Gallery Kurimoto, Nagaoka, Niigata (will continue to be held)
・Exhibition of Contemporary Ceramic Artists Living in Kyoto, Kyoto Daimaru
1997 (1997)
・Ceramics Three-person Exhibition, Shinjuku Isetan (Takahiro Kondo and Masahiko Ichino)
1998 (1998)
・Kyoto Talented Artists Exhibition, Hiroshima Sogo
1999 (1999)
・Solo exhibition at Shimonoseki Daimaru
2000 (2000)
・Solo exhibition at Yu, Tokyo Palace Hotel (will continue to be held in the future)
・Solo exhibition at Rakuchu Rakugai Gallery, Kyoto Kiyomizu-yaki Complex
・Exhibited at the Tsinghua University International Ceramic Exhibition in Beijing, China
2001 (2001)
・Received the highest award, the Kinki Prize, at the 30th Kinki Exhibition of Japanese Traditional Crafts
・Solo exhibition at Tenmaya, Mihara, Hiroshima
2002 (2002)
・Solo exhibition at Kogei Ima, Ginza, Tokyo
・Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Main Store, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
・CRIA Exhibition, Kyoto Art Center
2003 (2003)
・Received the Shiga Prefecture Board of Education Award at the 32nd Japanese Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition
・Ginza Kuroda Touen Celadon Exhibition (still held)
・Solo exhibition at Meitetsu Department Store, Nagoya
・Exhibited at the Contemporary Korean-Japanese Ceramic Art Exhibition at the Kumho Museum of Art, Seoul
・Solo exhibition at Gion Konishi, Kyoto
2004 (2004)
・Appointed as a judge at the 33rd Japanese Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition
2005 (2005)
・Solo exhibition at Daimaru Art Gallery, Kyoto
・Specially selected for the 34th Japanese Traditional Crafts Kinki Exhibition
2006 (2006)
・Three Potters Exhibition, Kyoto Takashimaya
・Exhibited at the Contemporary Ceramic Artists Exhibition at Kobe Sogo
・Four Artists Exhibition at Nara Kintetsu
・Solo exhibition at Gallery Wada, Ishibekoji, Kyoto (will continue to be held)
・Solo exhibition at Dojima Gallery, Osaka (will continue to be held)
・Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
2007 (2007)
・Solo exhibition at Rokujido, Ninenzaka, Kyoto
・Solo exhibition at Keihan Department Store, Moriguchi, Osaka
・Climbing kiln construction
2008 (2008)
・Solo exhibition at Gallery Uko, Bashamichi, Yokohama
・Solo exhibition at Kintetsu Department Store, Saidaiji Temple, Nara
2009 (2009)
・Solo exhibition at Takashimaya, Kyoto
・Solo exhibition at Mitsukoshi Main Store Art Gallery, Nihonbashi, Tokyo
2010 (2010)
・Solo exhibition at Mizutama, Itabashi (will continue to be held in the future)
2011 (2011)
・Solo exhibition at JR Osaka Mitsukoshi Isetan, Umeda, Osaka
2012 (2012)
・Solo exhibition at Rokujido, Ninenzaka, Kyoto
・Solo exhibition at Fukuoka Mitsukoshi Department Store, Hakata
・Solo exhibition at Kairo Gallery Mon, Kasama, Ibaraki
2015 (2015)
・Solo exhibition at Hankyu Umeda Main Store, Osaka Umeda (will continue to be held)
2016 (2016)
・Solo exhibition at Atelier Hiro, Yodoyabashi, Osaka (will continue to be held)
2017 (2017)
・Established a workshop again in Gojozaka, Kyoto
2018 (2018)
・Solo exhibition at Gallery Yamazaki, Ningyocho, Nihonbashi, Tokyo (will continue to be held)
2022 (2022)
・Appointed as Secretary General of the Kinki Branch of the Japan Crafts Association, a public interest incorporated association
・Appointed as director of the Japan Crafts Association, a public interest incorporated association
・Appointed as director of the Kyoto Ceramic Association, a general incorporated foundation
・Appointed as director of the general incorporated foundation KYOTO KILIN
・A pottery store that had been in business for generations on Gojozaka closes and begins renovations
2023 (2023)
・As a showroom for "Tsuboya Kibe Kiln"
