Yakushiji Temple East Pagoda Foundation Clay Iron Bowl Sake Cup By Rakusai Onishi

Width: 7.4cm Height: 3.4cm

Iron bowl and sake cup made from the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple - By Rakusai Onishi

1. Clay: Ancient soil that holds 1,300 years of prayer

Old clay obtained during the repair of the base of the East Pagoda of Yakushiji Temple in Nara was mixed with Shigaraki-style rough clay. Because it contains a lot of iron and silica, the quartz grains in the clay sparkle like stardust even after reduction firing, and when you hold it in your palm, you can directly feel the weight of the "Yamato earth."

2. Iron Bowl Shape: A Refined Form Replica of a Monk's Oryogi Container

The design is modeled after the iron bowls used by monks when begging for sake, with a rounded body and a slightly inward-curved rim. Zen simplicity and a warm sense of volume coexist, and the cup seems to breathe quietly when filled with sake.

3. Iron ash glaze and kiln change - a dull glow floating in a deep green moss landscape

Iron is added to the ash glaze, which is mainly made from straw ash, and reduced at high heat.

The entire surface is a gradation of moss blue to brownish brown.

The iron on the rim gives it a coppery red color, tightening the outline.

At the bottom of the interior, a pool of glaze has crystallized into a pale milky white, reflecting light like droplets of water. The accidental scene created by the flames is reminiscent of the moss covering the old tower and the rain marks on the cobblestones.

4. The value of sake and the taste of sake - the function of the vessels to appreciate "wabi"

The fine sandy texture of the outer surface feels pleasant on the fingertips, the milky white glaze creates a cooling sensation when cold sake is poured into it, and the clay body gently retains the heat when hot sake is poured into it.The rim is made thin, making it light on the lips and not spoiling the finish of the sake.

5. Cultural Significance: Symbol of "Omegai" and "Rebirth"

A monk's iron bowl is a tool that represents "the bare minimum - knowing what is enough." This piece also combines the clay that harbors the prayers of the ancient pagoda with the simple shape of the iron bowl, demonstrating "a state of abundance in a small space." A single drop poured into the small sake cup quietly connects the light of the thousand-year-old Buddhist teachings with the modern drinking occasion.

With its moss-green iron-ash glaze, moon-white glaze pool, and red copper rim, Onishi Rakusai's "Yakushiji East Pagoda Base Clay Iron Bowl Sake Cup" is an exquisite sake cup that embodies the tranquility of the ancient pagoda and the simplicity of Zen in the palm of your hand. With one sip, the aftertaste of earth, fire, and prayer gently rises from the depths of the cup.

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