Elevate your sake experience with this Bizen-yaki ceramic sake warming set, handcrafted by renowned potter Hirokazu SHIBAOKA. This set, consisting of a rustic tokkuri (sake bottle) and two ochoko (sake cups), embodies the earthy beauty and timeless craftsmanship of Bizen ware, perfect for both ceremonial and casual sake enjoyment.
 
🍶 Authentic Bizen Ware – Made in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, Bizen-yaki pottery is characterised by its unglazed, high-fired surfaces. The natural effects of ash, fire, and iron-rich clay create unique textures and organic colour patterns that evoke the essence of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
 
🍶 Raw Earth Aesthetic & Natural Ash Glaze – This set features a rough, tactile texture with ash speckling and gradient tones of reddish-brown, earthy grey, and warm amber. The unglazed finish reveals the natural interaction between clay and flame, making each piece truly one-of-a-kind.
 
🍶 Perfect for Warm Sake – The tokkuri (sake bottle) is designed for warming sake, with a rounded body that retains heat while allowing the delicate aromas to flourish. The ochoko cups are crafted with a comfortable, rounded form, ideal for sipping and appreciating the warm sake’s smooth texture.
 
🍶 Savouring the Ritual – Enjoying sake from this set enhances the sensory experience, where the coarse texture, warmth of the clay, and rustic aesthetic amplify the connection between drinker, vessel, and tradition.
 
This Bizen-yaki sake warming set with two cups is not just a drinking accessory but a sculptural piece of Japanese ceramic heritage. Ideal for connoisseurs of sake and lovers of traditional craftsmanship, it makes a thoughtful gift or a treasured addition to your own collection.
 
<Specs>
📐 Size (DIA&H): 
      Ceramic Sake Warmer: ⌀9 x 11.8 cm / ⌀3.5 x 4.6 in
      Ceramic Cup (1 pc): ⌀5.8 x 4.8 cm / ⌀2.3 x 1.9 in
📐 Capacity (Water): 
      Ceramic Sake Warmer: 334 ml / 11.3 oz
      Ceramic Cup (1 pc): 73 ml / 2.5 fl oz
📐 Colour: Brown
📐 Texture: Matt
📐 Weight: 
      Ceramic Sake Warmer: 270 g / 9.5 oz
      Ceramic Cup (1 pc): 75 g / 2.6 oz
📐 Quantity: 1 Ceramic Sake Warmer & 2 Ceramic Cups
📐 Origin: Japan
 
<Notes>
📝 Please allow a 1-2 unit deviation due to the manual measurements.
📝 Colours may differ slightly from the photos, depending on lighting and screen settings.
📝 Handcrafted items are beautiful for their individual personalities, making each of them appear slightly different from the photos shown.
 
<About the Artisan>
 
Hirokazu SHIBAOKA
 
Born in 1978 as the eldest son of esteemed Bizen-Yaki ceramic artist Shusen SHIBAOKA, Hirokazu was destined to inherit and evolve one of Japan’s oldest pottery traditions.
 
After completing his studies at Kyushu Tokai University in 2001, Hirokazu refined his technical knowledge at the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Technology Center for Bizen Ceramics, graduating in 2002. Upon graduation, he entered the world of ceramic arts under the direct guidance of his father, immersing himself in the demanding practices of traditional Bizen-yaki.
 
Hirokazu’s skill and artistry have been widely recognised across Japan:
2005 – Selected for the 56th Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
2006 – Selected again for the 57th Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition and the Issuikai Ceramic Exhibition, which spotlights emerging excellence in ceramic arts
2009 – Selected for the Issuikai Ceramic Exhibition (second time)
2010 – Exhibited at the 25th National Cultural Festival: Okayama Ceramic Art Showcase
2011 – Accepted into the 54th Japan Traditional Craft China Branch Exhibition and the 62nd Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition
 
In 2018, Shigaoka officially inherited the title of Second-Generation Kiln Master of the Shusen Kiln, continuing the family legacy with a blend of deep tradition and evolving aesthetic expression.
 
Hirokazu’s works continue this ancient legacy with a modern sensibility, embracing the raw, elemental beauty of fire and earth. His pieces are prized by collectors and tea practitioners alike for their quiet elegance, functional excellence, and deep connection to the land.