Nakahara Kunisuke Guinomi 90 ml

Glazed stoneware

This Guinomi appears like a small, self-contained fragment of earth and fire. The delicate rosy surface displays an irregular, finely fractured texture reminiscent of weathered stone. Here, the glaze and clay do not merge into a smooth unity but remain palpably distinct. That is precisely where its quiet tension lies.

The form is deliberately minimalist and slightly squat, with gently rounded lines that fit naturally in the hand. At the base, the raw clay is partially exposed, bearing traces of firing and the movement of the potter's wheel. This area gives the Guinomi a groundedness and an earthy presence that becomes particularly noticeable when drinking.

As a sake vessel, it reveals its strength in quiet moments: The cup warms quickly, the rim rests softly against the lips, and every small irregularity serves as a reminder that this piece was not made to be perfect, but to be used. 

Nakahara Kunisuke is an experienced Hagi potter from the city of Hagi in Yamaguchi. Since 1975, he has dedicated himself to working with the renowned soft Hagi clay and continues to run the historic Chinchugama workshop. His studio is located between the historic Shōin Shrine and Tōkō Temple, giving visitors the impression of arriving in a quiet passage between past and present.