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

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This is a work by Kusuo Baba, the second-generation head of Shinemon Kiln, one of the representative kilns of Arita ware.
Titled “Ryokuei” (“Green Shadow”), it features a striking contrast of black, white, and emerald green, creating a profound sense of depth that draws the viewer in.

Shinemon Kiln is renowned as a pioneer of the yohen technique, which requires masterful control of glazes. This piece was personally crafted by the current head, Kusuo Baba. Yohen refers to the transformative phenomena that occur within the kiln, where the glaze’s colors and patterns change unpredictably, revealing the beauty and mystery of nature.

The glaze used here, named Ryokuei, is distinguished by its glowing emerald green emerging amidst gradations of light and dark. With its layered composition of colors, it offers shifting impressions each time it is viewed or used.

Created by an artist who skillfully brings out the fullest expression of glaze, this elegant coffee cup and saucer exude refinement. Each time it is held, a different landscape appears, making every moment of use a special experience. Enjoy the quiet luxury of savoring a cup of coffee while admiring the vessel’s ever-changing beauty.



[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."