Coffee Cup and Saucer Ryokuei | Kusuo Baba's work in Shinemon Kiln [146193]

[Cup size]
Length: 10.8cm / Width: 8.5cm / Height: 7.4cm
Length: 4.3in / Width: 3.3in / Height: 2.9in

[Saucer size]
Width: 15.3cm
Width: 6in

-----------------------
This coffee cup and saucer set is a creation by Ky?suo Baba, second-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln?one of the most distinguished kilns representing Arita ware.
The glaze used is titled Ryokuei (“Green Shadow”), featuring a striking contrast of black, white, and emerald green. The vivid interplay of these three colors creates a deep, almost hypnotic sense of depth. The emerald green glows subtly within the shadows and light, offering a dynamic and ever-changing expression with each use.

The Shinemon Kiln is renowned for its mastery of the Y?hen technique, where glazes undergo spontaneous transformations during firing. These natural phenomena?guided by both refined technique and the unpredictable nature of flame?reveal mysterious beauty and complexity. In this piece, the Ryokuei glaze embodies that spirit, showcasing an exquisite balance of darkness and brilliance through carefully composed contrasts.

Crafted by an artist who masterfully draws out the full expressive range of glaze, this refined coffee cup and saucer reveals a new visual landscape every time you hold it. Each cup of coffee becomes a unique experience, where the vessel itself deepens the moment. We invite you to take your time and enjoy the quiet richness of this piece, letting the shifting colors accompany your thoughts.


[Potter Profile]
Kusuo Baba
(The second-generation head of the Shinemon Kiln)
Member of Nitten / Councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association / Vice President of the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Association / Director of the Saga Art Association

I create works that inherit the tradition of Arita ware while aligning with contemporary sensibilities. I specialize in the Yohen technique, which skillfully manipulates glazes, adding an element of serendipity to each piece as it reaches completion, thereby expressing a mystical beauty.

[Kusuo Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1952
1976: Joined the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research Institute, where he learned the basics of ceramics and began researching glazes.
1980: Joined Maemon Kiln and began creating pottery, continuing his research on glazes to this day.
1981: Received strong guidance from Ryuzan Aoki, a recipient of the Order of Culture.
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei." Subsequently, he has been selected 20 times.
2004: Exhibited "Haruka wo Nozomu" and "Umibe no Uta" at the Arita Pottery Exhibition in Germany.
2010: Held the "Encountering Colors at Ogurayama" exhibition at Jojakkoji Temple in Kyoto.
2014: Appointed as a judge for the 53rd Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
2021: Elected as a councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association.

[Main Awards]
1997: Selected for the Nitten exhibition for "Kyoku Ei."
2000: Awarded the Grand Prize and the 50th Anniversary Special Prize at the Saga Prefecture Exhibition for "Haruka na Sazanami."
2003: Received the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the 100th Anniversary Kyushu Yamaguchi Ceramic Exhibition for "Umibe no Uta."
2005: Received the Contemporary Craft Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Reimei-05."
2008: Received the Contemporary Craft Full Member Award at the Contemporary Craft Exhibition for "Kyoku-08(1)."
2011: Received the Director's Award at the 50th Anniversary Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition for "Sazanami no Uta."
2012: Won the Special Prize at the Nitten exhibition for "Haruka na Mine."
2012: Received the Grand Prize and the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition for "Sankei."