Yakushiji East Pagoda Foundation Clay Yakishime Sake Cup by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 6.6cm Height: 3.9cm

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

1. Clay - the base material that holds the foundation of the ancient pagoda

This piece is made with a blend of ancient soil collected during repairs to the base of the eastern pagoda of Yakushiji Temple, a famous pagoda built in the Nara period. Rich in iron and silica, this soil has harbored mineral crystals over the course of 1,300 years, and even after firing, the quartz grains still glitter faintly like stardust. When you hold it in your hand, you can quietly feel the prayers of the land of Yamato and the ancient pagoda.

2. The scenery of Yakishime - the mysterious beauty 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 reduced and oxidized, resulting in a multi-layered appearance: 1) a dull metallic luster that changes from iron black to dark brown all over the surface, 2) fine ash becomes a natural glaze, scattering a faint light like silver sand on the surface, and 3) a faint copper-colored fire color appears around the rim, tightening the look.The charm of this piece is the tranquility of a moss-covered cornerstone covered in night dew.

3. Shape: A hand-formed round sake cup

The rim is slightly curved outwards and the body is gently bulged out to create a rounded cylindrical shape. The lower part of the body is narrowed and has a low ring-shaped base, which stabilizes the center of gravity and makes it fit comfortably in the hand. The rough surface, with its scraping marks, accentuates the rustic texture and flickering flame.

4. Functional beauty - a comfortable feel that enhances the taste of sake

The rough outer surface provides a comfortable resistance to your fingertips, and when pouring cold sake, the iron surface keeps you cool, while when pouring hot sake, the clay body gently stores the heat. The rim is thinly polished, so it feels light on the lips and the sake finishes cleanly. The approximately 30ml capacity invites you to savor every drop in a Zen-like manner.

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

Yakushiji Temple was founded at the request of Emperor Tenmu (around 680), and is said to have been moved to its current location around 710, the third year of the Wadō era, after the capital was moved to Heijō. Despite repeated fires and wars, the temple has been rebuilt and repaired, with the East Pagoda (completed around 730) being the only surviving pagoda from the Nara period, praised for its "frozen music." This work, made from the same foundation soil that was restored after a major restoration in the Reiwa era, is a symbol of the eternal history of prayer and rebirth, reflected in the palm of your hand.

Summary

With its black iron luster, sparkling with fine silver sand, and a faint edge of red copper fire, Onishi Rakusai's "Yakishime Sake Cup, Made from the Clay of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple," is a gem of a sake cup that simultaneously embodies the tranquility of wabi and the sublimity of an ancient pagoda. When you take a sip, the flames, the earth, and the sounds of a thousand years of Buddhist ritual gently rise from the depths of the cup, inviting you to a quiet, lingering aftertaste.

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