Wood-fired stoneware sake set tokkuri and two guinomi natural ash glaze, Shōwa period Japan, displayed on wooden plank, cups stacked

Wood-fired sake set, tokkuri and two guinomi, natural ash glaze, Shōwa period

Name: Japanese sake set wood-fired ash glaze Showa period signed | KAIKO&CO
Brand: KAIKO&CO
Price: 95.0 EUR
Availability: InStock

€95.00

Three pieces, one fire. The tokkuri sits low and round, its body rising to a narrow neck with a slightly folded rim, the surface a shifting landscape of warm cream and pale sand interrupted by bloom-like patches of russet and pale orange. The two guinomi cups match it without being identical: same clay, same warmth, same quiet irregularity. This is not a set you keep in a cabinet. It is a set that asks you to pour sake and slow down.

Natural ash glaze is not applied. It happens. During wood firing, ash from the kiln settles on the clay and melts at high temperature, creating a surface that no two pieces share in exactly the same way. The warm pinkish tones, the sandy patches, the places where the fire moved differently, these are all direct records of the kiln at work.

This set is consistent with the wood-firing tradition of central Japan, where stoneware has been produced for over a thousand years known for exactly this kind of rugged, flame-marked surface. The tokkuri is signed with an incised mark ending in と (to), which we have not been able to confirm fully, but the signature tells you this was made by someone who wanted to be known for it.

What makes this sake set special

The up close look and feel

The clay under your hands is rough in a way that feels considered, not accidental. The surface of the tokkuri moves between smooth ash-covered areas and sections where the clay texture comes through without interruption.

The guinomi cups are slightly heavier than their size suggests. The tokkuri's narrow neck controls the pour naturally, no tilting or rushing necessary. Warm sake in these cups holds its temperature longer than you would expect.

Charming details

All three pieces came from the same firing but the ash settled differently on each. The tokkuri carries its warmest tones along the lower body. One guinomi shows a wide wash of russet across its lower half; the other holds more of the creamy ash deposit along the rim.

This is the direct record of how they sat in the kiln, relative to the fire and to each other. A wood-firing is never repeated, and these three pieces in this configuration exist exactly once.

- A tokkuri and two guinomi, all three signed on the base.
- A hand-incised signature in wet clay is the mark of a studio potter working with intention, not a kiln stamp applied to production ware.
- Natural ash glaze technique, wood-fired stoneware, consistent with Shigaraki-yaki (信楽焼) or Iga-yaki (伊賀焼) tradition.
- The set is complete and appears unused.
- Likely Shiga or Mie prefecture, Japan. Based on the style.
- Shōwa period, ca. 1950 to 1985.
- Tokkuri: height approx. 11 cm, diameter approx. 8.5 cm.
- Guinomi (each): height approx. 5 cm, diameter approx. 6.5 cm.
- Total weight of the set: approx. 363 g.
- Excellent vintage condition.
- The set appears unused: no wear on the rims or footrings, no staining inside the tokkuri or cups.
- The surface marks you see are all from the firing, not from use.
- Do not wash in the dishwasher.
- Rinse each piece by hand with lukewarm water, dry fully before storing.
- Porous wood-fired stoneware absorbs liquid gradually, particularly the tokkuri: before first use, fill it with water or sake and leave it for a short while so the clay can settle.
- After use for sake, a warm water rinse is all it needs.
- If anything dries inside, a brief soak loosens it without any detergent.