Yakushiji East Pagoda Foundation Clay Yakishime Teacup by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 7.0cm Height: 8.3cm

Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda base clay, fired sake cup - By Rakusai Onishi

1. Clay - housing the Yamato earth and 1,300 years of prayers

This piece is made with a blend of ancient soil collected during repairs to the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple, which was built in the Nara period. Rich in iron and silica, this soil has developed minute mineral crystals over the years, and even after firing, the quartz grains sparkle like stardust. The moment you place it in your palm, you can feel the weight of the ancient pagoda and the gentle breath of the Yamato earth.

2. The beauty of Yakishime - the luster of the iron surface forged by the flames

By firing the piece without any glaze at a high temperature of approximately 1250°C, the iron in the clay is repeatedly oxidized and reduced, giving the entire piece a metallic luster that changes from iron black to dark brown. The rim is slightly bordered in a reddish-copper color. Fine ash forms a natural glaze, scattering silver spots. This creates a tranquil scene. The texture is reminiscent of a moss-covered cornerstone shining with night dew.

3. Shape: A neat cylindrical shape that mirrors the iron bowl worn by a monk.

The slightly curved rim and nearly vertical cylindrical body are reminiscent of the iron bowls used for begging. The wheel marks around the body create a subtle rhythm, and the low, ring-shaped base at the base stabilizes the center of gravity. The texture feels pleasant against the pads of your fingers, giving the piece a simple yet refined presence.

4. The elegance of sake and functional beauty - a tableware that allows you to enjoy the "wabi" aesthetic.

The rough outer surface provides just the right amount of friction for your fingertips, and when pouring cold sake, the iron surface keeps it cool, while when pouring hot sake, the earthy flavor gently stores heat. The thin rim feels light on the lips and does not impair the smoothness of the sake. The small capacity also encourages the Zen-like act of concentrating on the taste of each sip.

5. Cultural significance: Reflecting "innocence" and "rebirth" in the palm of your hand

Construction of the Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda began at the request of Emperor Tenmu (around 680), and is said to have been completed at its current location in 718, after the capital was moved to Heijo. It flourished as one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, and has continued to preserve the flame of Buddhism despite repeated wars and fires. The East Pagoda (completed in 730) in particular is an elegant three-story pagoda known as "frozen music," and is registered as a World Heritage Site.

This piece, made from the clay supporting the central pillar, expresses the 1,300-year history of prayer and rebirth through the "solid" technique of unglazed firing. In the moment when you fill the sake cup and bring it to your sip, prayers for the past, present, and future quietly intersect, creating a deep, lingering impression.

With its silver spots hidden in the black-iron luster, the copper-dyed rim, and the eternal time that speaks to the clay of the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple, Onishi Rakusai's Yakishime Sake Cup is a gem of a sake cup that simultaneously embraces wabi (traditional Japanese beauty) and sublimity in the palm of your hand. With one sip, the flames, the earth, and the sounds of the ancient pagoda gently rise from the depths of the cup, spreading a quiet emotion throughout your mind.

This piece is made using 100% clay from the Yakushiji Temple grounds, with all impurities thoroughly removed, and is characterized by its clear beauty. The clay has aged over time and is homogeneous, and when fired it acquires a clear luster, and when fired it takes on a gentle color reminiscent of old roofing tiles. Its smooth texture and resistance to warping are also appealing. The story of the clay, which embodies 1,300 years of history, brings a sense of peace every time you hold it in your hands. This is a special piece that combines material, beauty, and spirituality.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi