A blend of traditional craftsmanship and natural beauty, this Bizen-yaki tapered ceramic cup by master potter Hirokazu SHIBAOKA is a stunning representation of Japan’s ancient ceramic heritage. Its elegant, tapered form and rich, rustic textures make it both a functional piece and an artful addition to any collection.
 
🍵 Authentic Bizen Ware – Crafted in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture, one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns, Bizen-yaki is renowned for its unglazed, high-fired stoneware that develops unique patterns through natural kiln effects. This pottery tradition has been cherished for over a thousand years, prized for its durability and rustic elegance.
 
🍵 Organic Clay & Wood-Fired Finish – The cup’s reddish-brown and earthy tones emerge from the iron-rich local clay, fired at high temperatures for several days. The natural hidasuki (fire cord marks) and ash deposits create a textured, organic surface, reflecting the unpredictable beauty of wood-fired pottery.
 
🍵 Tapered Form with Natural Contours – The cup’s tall, slightly flared shape and hand-crafted undulations make it comfortable to hold while enhancing the tactile experience. The wide mouth allows for full aroma release, ideal for tea, water, beer, or sake.
 
🍵 Generous Capacity & Versatile Use – Holding 400ml/13.5oz, this cup is perfect for cold drinks, craft beer, or generously poured tea, offering both aesthetic pleasure and practical use. The slight irregularity of the form exemplifies the wabi-sabi aesthetic, embracing the beauty of imperfection.
 
This Bizen-yaki tapered ceramic cup is not just a drinking vessel but a celebration of the elements – where clay, fire, and craftsmanship come together in perfect harmony. Ideal for those who value the depth of tradition and the warmth of handmade ceramics.
 
<Specs>
📐 Size (DIA&H): ⌀8.6 x 14.1 cm / ⌀3.4 x 5.6 in
📐 Capacity (Water): 400 ml / 13.5 fl oz
📐 Colour: Brown
📐 Texture: Matt
📐 Weight: 292 g / 10.3 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.