Embodying the essence of Japanese ceramic tradition, this Bizen-yaki rustic ceramic cup by master artisan Hirokazu SHIBAOKA  combines natural beauty and meticulous craftsmanship. Its striking faceted design, rich earthen tones, and tactile surface make it an ideal piece for both functional use and aesthetic appreciation.
 
🍵 Crafted in the Bizen Tradition – Produced in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, Bizen-yaki is celebrated as one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns. This pottery technique dates back over a thousand years and is revered for its unglazed, wood-fired finish, which reveals unique patterns formed through direct exposure to flame and ash.
 
🍵 Natural Clay & Fire Patterns – Crafted from iron-rich Bizen clay, the cup’s surface exhibits an array of warm, reddish-brown hues intertwined with ash-grey markings. These natural patterns result from the high-temperature wood firing process, giving each piece a one-of-a-kind character. The unglazed surface, subtly textured, allows the clay’s natural properties to interact with the tea, enhancing flavour and aroma.
 
🍵 Geometric Faceted Design – Featuring a tall, angular form with precisely carved facets, the cup combines architectural elegance with rustic charm. The interplay of light and shadow across the carved planes highlights the cup’s natural colour variations and gives it a dynamic, sculptural presence.
 
🍵 Versatile & Functional – Holding 280ml/9.5oz, this tall cup is perfect for water, iced tea, sake, or cold beverages. Its ergonomic shape and sturdy, balanced base make it easy to handle, whether used daily or displayed as a collectible piece.
 
This Bizen-yaki rustic ceramic cup is more than a vessel – it’s a tactile experience that bridges the past and present, celebrating the wabi-sabi philosophy of imperfect beauty. Whether used for tea, sake, or as an art piece, it embodies the spirit of traditional Japanese craftsmanship.
 
<Specs>
📐 Size (DIA&H): ⌀7.3 x 10.6 cm / ⌀2.9 x 4.2 in
📐 Capacity (Water): 280 ml / 9.5 fl oz
📐 Colour: Brown
📐 Texture: Matt
📐 Weight: 209 g / 7.4 oz
📐 Quantity: 1
📐 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.