Ritual Vessel / Ka / Ancient Ceremonial Style

It is a drinking vessel made in imitation of earthenware that has existed for about 3,000 years.
It is called "ka," and its most distinctive feature is that it has three legs attached from a part shaped like the lower half of a human body. It has the function of warming the sake inside. It is sold as a set with two sake cups. As it is a rare sake cup, it would be very difficult to find it easily even if you search all over the world. This is one of the products that he has created in his own image by unraveling the history of various countries around the world. Please enjoy your drinking time with these wonderful sake cups.

Width：16.5cm
Depth：12cm
Height：15cm
Weight：565g

Clay

MITSURU YOSHIKAWA

ARTISAN STORY

Mitsuru Yoshikawa
A Kyoto ceramic artist with more than 40 years of experience. Fascinated by ancient Chinese bronzes, he has continued to create generous, sculptural forms across both earthenware and stoneware. He is especially particular about the 'feet' of his vessels, having created more than 100 original molds, a collection that continues to grow.

ACHIEVEMENTS

・Received the Kyoto Prefecture Traditional Industry Excellent Technician Award

KYO WARE & KIYOMIZU WARE

About 1,200 years ago / 800s / Heian Period (794–1185)

Kyoto ceramics reach back to kilns operating before and during the Heian period, then expanded with tea culture in the Muromachi and Momoyama eras. In the seventeenth century, Nonomura Ninsei perfected brilliant overglaze decoration, followed by innovators such as Ogata Kenzan, Okuda Eisen and Aoki Mokubei, whose diverse approaches shaped today’s Kyo and Kiyomizu ware.

In Japan, these ceramics are famous precisely because there is no single fixed style. Tea bowls, kaiseki dishes and everyday tableware may use overglaze painting, blue-and-white decoration, gold, sancai-inspired color and many other techniques. The craft sits at the heart of Kyoto’s culture of pairing vessels with cuisine and tea.

The surprising point is that Kyoto was never defined by a single major clay deposit. Potters drew on materials such as Amakusa porcelain stone, techniques arriving from other regions, and the tastes of artists and patrons gathered in the capital. Freedom from one local material helped make Kyoto ceramics unusually hybrid and stylistically diverse.

Individual Differences

As each piece is individually handcrafted, slight variations in color, pattern, shape, and texture may occur. These subtle differences are a natural characteristic of handcrafted works, making each piece truly unique. We hope you will enjoy these individual variations as part of the beauty and character of Japanese craftsmanship.

Production Time

If an item is not currently in stock, it may be made to order by the artisan. As each piece is carefully handcrafted, production may take several months depending on the item and the artisan's schedule. We appreciate your patience and understanding.