Shino Ware Yunomi Teacup — Ōji Kiln (王子窯), Hand-Formed, Signed Wooden Box

The box lid is inscribed 湯呑 (yunomi) in bold brushwork. It is glazed in Shino (志野), the thick, milky-white feldspar glaze developed in the Mino kilns (Gifu Prefecture) in the Momoyama period, and one of the most admired glazes in Japanese ceramics. The Shino here shows the qualities collectors look for. The glaze is thick and soft, with a lustrous, almost sugary surface. It is scattered with small pinholes (yuzu-hada, "citron skin"), a hallmark of Shino that comes from gases escaping through the thick glaze during firing. A wide, irregular crackle runs across the surface, and blushes of warm orange-brown appear at the rim and along the crackle lines. This is known as hi-iro ("fire colour"), where iron in the clay comes through the thin areas of glaze. A few scattered iron-red spots add further warmth.

The form is hand-shaped rather than wheel-perfect: a softly squared cylinder with gentle dents and finger impressions, and an undulating rim. This reflects the wabi aesthetic of Shino, which values natural irregularity. It sits comfortably in the hand. The base and lower edge are left unglazed, showing the clay scorched to a toasty brown in the kiln, with a fine textured pattern on the underside.

The cup comes in its wooden storage box (tomobako) with a calligraphic lid inscription, the kiln seal (王子窯), the potter's signature and seal, and a yellow ukon cotton wrapping cloth.

Details:

• Origin: Japan, Shino ware, Ōji Kiln (王子窯), per the box seal

• Form: Hand-shaped yunomi (teacup), softly squared cylinder with finger impressions and an undulating rim

• Glaze: Thick milky-white Shino glaze with pinholes (yuzu-hada), wide crackle and warm hi-iro fire colouring

• Decoration: Unpainted; the beauty lies in the glaze, iron spots and firing effects

• Base: Unglazed, scorched warm brown with fine texture

• Condition: Good secondhand condition. The pinholes, crackle, iron spots and brown lines in the crackle are natural features of Shino, not damage. The crackle will gradually deepen in tone with use, which is prized as part of the cup's character. Please see photos for detail.

• Packaging: Signed wooden box (tomobako) with inscribed lid and yellow ukon cloth

• Dimensions: (Ø) approx. 7 cm x (H) approx. 8 cm