Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Soil Brushed Sake Cup by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 7.6cm Height: 3.7cm

Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Soil Brushed Sake Cup - By Rakusai Onishi

1. Clay: Transmitting the foundation of the ancient tower to your palm

This piece is made with a blend of ancient soil collected when the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple in Nara was dismantled during the major repairs that took place between the Heisei and Reiwa eras. Rich in iron and silica, this soil has held minute mineral crystals in place through 1,300 years of weathering, and the quartz grains still glitter faintly after firing. When you hold it in your palm, you can feel the quiet breathing of the earth of Yamato and the prayers of the ancient pagoda.

2. Brush stroke technique: A graceful landscape painted with white paint

The enrobing clay, a mixture of white mud and clay, is applied vigorously with a brush and fired at a high, reducing heat, resulting in a multi-layered appearance: 1) Brush marks appear in bands on the outside of the body, with white flowing lines on a gray-green background; 2) swirling brushstrokes remain on the inside, creating a sense of fluctuation when reflected on the surface of the sake; 3) The enrobing clay becomes thinner around the edges, where the iron develops a copper color that tightens the overall look. The white of the brush marks glows faintly like moonlight, and the contrast with the black glaze creates a mysterious depth.

3. Shape: A shallow bowl-shaped design with light proportions

The rim is slightly curved outwards, and the body is low and jutting out in a shallow bowl shape. The base is lightly narrowed and has a low ring-shaped base, which stabilizes the center of gravity and makes it fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. The simple texture of the wheel marks creates a rhythm that echoes the fluidity of the brush strokes.

4. Functional beauty as a sake vessel - Nurturing aroma and temperature

The fine roughness of the outer skin provides a comfortable friction to the pads of your fingers, and when cold sake is poured in, the brush marks on the white makeup create a cool feeling. When warming sake, the clay gently stores heat, lowering the temperature and enhancing the flavor of the sake. The thinly sharpened rim feels light on the lips, and the sake slides smoothly across the tip of the tongue, so the delicate aroma of ginjo is not lost.

5. The History of Yakushiji Temple - Reflecting the Prayers of "Frozen Music"

Yakushiji Temple was founded at the request of Emperor Tenmu (around 680) and moved to its current location in the Wadou era (710s) after the capital was moved to Heijō. It flourished as one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara, but suffered repeated fires and wars and was rebuilt each time. The East Pagoda is the only surviving pagoda from the Nara period, completed around 720, and is an elegant and graceful three-story pagoda praised for its "frozen music." This work, which uses the foundation soil that was restored during the major repairs in the Reiwa era, is a symbol of the history of eternal prayer and rebirth that is brought to the drinking party.

Summary

The white flowing lines of the brush strokes are reminiscent of moonlight, and the red copper border on the gray-green background adds a quiet tension - the "Yakushiji East Pagoda Foundation Clay Brushed Sake Cup" by Onishi Rakusai is a gem of a sake cup that embodies wabi, elegance, and the prayers of the ancient pagoda in the palm of your hand. When you take a sip, the flames, earth, and the sounds of a thousand years of Buddhist teachings will gently rise from the depths of the cup, 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]