Wash by hand with warm water and a sponge, using a mild washing-up liquid when necessary. Pat dry with a towel or air dry naturally. Do not put in dishwasher or microwave.
Katakuchi
Tokoname Hakeme
Akira Koie
SKU
0159
A wide and shallow Katakuchi spouted bowl brushed with white slip and wood-fired for a textured, grey, stone-like finish. Handcrafted by contemporary Tokoname-yaki artist, Akira Koie, this versatile vessel can be used as a Yuzamashi to cool hot water before steeping tea, or as a carafe for serving sake.
| Item | Katakuchi spouted vessel |
| Origin | Tokoname, Aichi, Japan |
| Artist | Akira Koie |
| Volume | 200ml |
| Dimensions | Ø14 x 4.5cm |
| Material | Clay |
| Colour | Grey |
| Artist mark | Seal to base |
Each piece is handmade and unique, therefore finish and dimensions may vary slightly
In stock
Akira Koie 鯉江明
Born in the historic pottery town of Tokoname in 1978, Akira Koie's interest in ceramics was stoked after helping his father: renowned ceramic artist Ryoji Koie (1938-2020), build a wood-fired kiln – which he continues to use today.
Besides learning from his father, Akira Koie draws much inspiration from his fascination for ancient ceramics, which he first encountered while taking part in an excavation of medieval Tokoname kiln ruins. He has since constructed and restored numerous kilns across Japan and South Korea, where he also studied traditional techniques under a master potter.
Bringing the past to the present, Koie's rugged, utilitarian pieces are also naturally influenced by the materials he finds around his countryside studio to make his own clays and glazes. All this combined with the unpredictable beauty of wood-firing results in singular works of remarkable strength, warmth and organic vitality.
Yuzamashi 湯冷まし
High quality Japanese green teas such as Gyokuro, Kabusecha and Sencha are brewed at lower temperatures to bring out their sweetness and prevent bitterness. The Yuzamashi: literally “hot water cooler”, is an open, spouted vessel, typically made from clay or porcelain in which hot water is cooled before steeping. To prepare Japanese green tea the traditional way, first pour boiled water into the teacups to warm them up, then transfer this hot water into the Yuzamashi for further cooling before pouring over the tea leaves in the teapot.
Tokoname-yaki 常滑焼
Pottery has been produced in the city of Tokoname, Aichi prefecture, as far back as the 12th century, and since 1976 has been protected as a Traditional Craft of Japan. Tokoname was the site of the largest and oldest of the legendary Rokkoyō (六古窯): the “Six Ancient Kilns” of Japan, and is celebrated for its iron-rich Shudei (朱泥) "red clay" that turns a bright red after firing. When fired a second time in a reduction oven, the red Shudei turns black – another characteristic colour of Tokoname-yaki.
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