Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Soil Beer Cup Byari Rakusai

Width: 7.8cm Height: 12.2cm

Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Clay Beer Cup - Onishi Rakusai

1. Clay: the foundation of 1,300 years of prayer

This piece is made with ancient soil collected when the base (around the foundation stone) of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple in Nara was dismantled during the major repair work in the Reiwa era. Rich in iron and silica, the quartz grains sparkle faintly even after firing, and when you hold it in your palm, you can quietly feel the weight of the ancient pagoda and the breath of the Yamato earth.

2. Glaze and kiln changes: a medley of dark brown and amber

The upper part of the body is covered with a straw ash glaze, and the firing process creates a gradation of amber to dark brown through reduction. The unglazed lower part exposes the reddish purple clay, creating a two-layered landscape of intersecting light and shadow. The black spots that appear here and there are vitrified natural ash that shine like stars in the night sky.

3. Shape: A modern fusion of an octagonal surface and a trumpet shape

The base is a polygonal column with eight cut faces, which gradually opens from the center of the body to the top in a trumpet shape. This proportion allows for a stable grip while allowing the beer's aroma to come out. The base is carved thinly, making it easier to handle than it looks.

4. Functional beauty: Designed to make beer taste better

The inside of the glass is coated with a thin ash glaze that melts into a mirror-like finish, beautifully highlighting the pale golden color of the poured beer. The coarse clay keeps the foam moderately fine, and the octagonal base promotes convection, so you can enjoy the creamy foam until the very end. If you lightly chill it in the refrigerator, the clay will gradually return the temperature to its original level, resulting in a soft mouthfeel.

5. History of Yakushiji Temple - Replaying "Frozen Music" on the palm of your hand

Yakushiji Temple is one of the famous Nanto Shichidaiji Temples, which was founded at the request of Emperor Tenmu (around 680) and moved to its current location around 710. The East Pagoda (completed around 720, the 4th year of the Yoro era) is the only Nara period pagoda that has retained its original appearance, and is registered as a World Heritage Site as an elegant three-story pagoda praised for its "frozen music." Despite having endured repeated disasters, the foundation soil of the temple was restored during the major repairs of the Reiwa era, and through this work, it tells a story of "prayer and rebirth" on your everyday tabletop.

Summary

The dark brown and amber glaze, the reddish purple clay, and the eternal prayer of the foundation of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple - Onishi Rakusai's "Beer Cup" is a gem of a sake cup that combines the tranquility of wabi with modern functional beauty. With every sip of beer, the flames, the earth, and the history of the ancient pagoda will gently rise up, inviting you to a deep aftertaste.

Made from 100% clay from within the grounds of Yakushiji Temple, this piece is characterised by its clear beauty, with all impurities thoroughly removed. The clay has been around for ages and is homogeneous, and when fired it takes on a clear luster, and when fired it takes on a gentle colour like old roofing tiles. Its smooth texture and resistance to warping are also appealing. The story of the clay, which holds 1,300 years of history, gives you a sense of peace every time you pick it up. This is a special piece that combines material, beauty and spirituality.

A conversation with Rakusai Onishi – High-end pottery specialty store [Amagi-do]