Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Clay Ash Glazed Sake Cup by Rakusai Onishi

Width: 6.7cm Height: 4.2cm

Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Clay Ash Glazed Sake Cup - By Rakusai Onishi

1. Clay: A solid base material that reflects the foundation soil of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple.

This piece is made with ancient soil collected from around the central stone of the famous Yakushiji East Pagoda, which was built in the Nara period, during major repairs. Rich in iron and silica, this soil has developed fine mineral crystals after 1,300 years of weathering, and even after firing, the quartz grains sparkle like stardust. When you hold it in your hand, you can quietly feel the prayers of the Yamato earth and the ancient pagoda.

2. Ash glaze and kiln change - a mysterious scene where milky white and indigo gray mix together

The ash glaze, which is mainly composed of straw ash, is fired at high temperature under reduced pressure, resulting in a marbled appearance of milky white and indigo ash throughout the piece. In the lower part of the body, the ash does not melt completely, leaving behind dark brown crystals. The glaze flows like fine brushstrokes, reminiscent of early mist hanging on the white walls of an ancient pagoda. This creates a multi-layered landscape. If you change the angle, you can enjoy the glow of a night view with moonlight shining through pale clouds.

3. Shape: The neat volume of the cylindrical sake cup

The rim is slightly curved outwards, and the body is a straight cylinder that fits comfortably in the hand. The wheel marks running down the center of the body catch the flow of the ash glaze, adding rhythm to the scenery. The base is held together by a thin ring-shaped foot, which makes it light and easy to handle despite its apparent volume.

4. Functional beauty as a sake vessel - combining simplicity and taste

The fine roughness of the outer surface provides a comfortable friction to the pads of your fingers, and the milky glaze creates a cool feeling when you pour cold sake into it. When you pour hot sake into it, the clay gradually stores heat, keeping the sake at a gentle temperature. The thinly ground rim feels light on the lips, making the sake taste refreshing.

5. The history of Yakushiji Temple - holding prayer and rebirth in the palm of your hand

Yakushiji Temple was founded at the request of Emperor Tenmu (around 680), moved to its current location around 710, and flourished as one of the Seven Great Temples of Nara. The East Pagoda is the only surviving pagoda from the Nara period, completed around 720, and is also known as "Frozen Music." After repeated wars and fires, it was rebuilt and repaired, and was completed in 2022 after major repairs from the Heisei to Reiwa eras. The foundation soil used for this work is precious soil that tells of its history of eternal prayer and rebirth.

Summary

The ash glaze, which is a mix of milky white and indigo gray, the stardust-like quartz grains hidden in the clay, and the thousand-year-old prayer that resides in the clay of the foundation of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple - "Yakushiji East Pagoda Foundation Clay Ash Glazed Sake Cup" by Rakusai Onishi is a gem of a sake vessel that holds both wabi and sublime in the palm of your hand. When you take a sip, the flames, the earth, and the sound of the ancient pagoda will quietly 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]