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

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

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

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

Sh inemon 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 with in the kiln, where the glaze’s colors and patterns change unpredictably, reveal ing the beauty and mystery of nature.

The glaze used here, named Ryokuei, is dist inguished by its glow ing emerald green emerg ing amidst gradations of light and dark. With its layered composition of colors, it offers shift ing impressions each time it is viewed or used.

Created by an artist who skillfully br ings out the fullest expression of glaze, this elegant coffee cup and saucer exude ref inement. Each time it is held, a different landscape appears, mak ing every moment of use a special experience. Enjoy the quiet luxury of savor ing a cup of coffee while admir ing the vessel’s ever-chang ing beauty.



[Potter Profile]
Kusuo Baba
(The second-generation head of the Sh inemon 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 align ing with contemporary sensibilities. I specialize in the Yohen technique, which skillfully manipulates glazes, add ing an element of serendipity to each piece as it reaches completion, thereby express ing a mystical beauty.

[Kusuo Baba's career is as follows ]
Born in 1952
1976: Jo ined the Saga Prefecture Ceramic Research institute, where he learned the basics of ceramics and began research ing glazes.
1980: Jo ined Maemon Kiln and began creat ing pottery, cont inu ing 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 N fl ozomu" and "Umibe no Uta" at the Arita Pottery Exhibition in Germany.
2010: Held the "Encounter ing Colors at Ogurayama" exhibition at Jojakkoji Temple in Kyoto.
2014: Appo inted as a judge for the 53rd Contemporary Arts and Crafts Exhibition.
2021: Elected as a councilor of the Japan Contemporary Arts and Crafts Association.

[Ma in 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 M ine."
2012: Received the Grand Prize and the Ryuzan Aoki Prize at the Contemporary Crafts Kyushu Exhibition for "Sankei."