- Type
- Shino
- Details
- A vessel for enjoying sake. A Shino tokkuri (sake flask) with milky white running over deep fire-red, like embers under a dusting of ash, suited to warm or chilled sake.
- Materials
- Mogusa clay (rare clay)
- Size
- φ95mm
- Height
- 130 mm
- Weight
- About 330g
- Texture
- Two textures in one flask: the milky trails are smooth, while on the fire-red faces the skin of the clay comes straight through to the fingers. Held in the hand, the faint ridges between the faces catch the fingertips.
Features of this piece
Deep fire-red covers the whole flask, and milky white glaze runs down from above in several trails. Embers still glowing red late into the night, with a thin dusting of white ash settled on them: that is the scene this Shino tokkuri (sake flask) suggests. The red shifts in depth from one face to the next, and where a white trail stopped, the thickness of the glaze remains as it set.
The neck is short and sturdy, the mouth opens gently, and the fire color runs right to the inside of the lip. The lower body swells full and round, with faint ridges between the faces, so the gloss of the white trails moves with every shift of the light. It sits firmly in one hand, with a pleasing weight as you pour.
The Shino surface receives the sake softly and suits it warmed or chilled. Like watching embers on a long night, the time spent tilting this flask seems to pass slowly. For a quiet drink alone, or a table shared with close friends.
Expected to ship within 10 business days from the date of order
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Shino
The moment of change
Shino is an elusive vessel that was created for only a brief period in the tea world over 450 years ago. It was fired in large kilns and anagama kilns from the late 16th century to the early 17th century. The charm of Shino lies in its characteristic appearance of a snow-white surface, created by using feldspar, with a subtle, warm fire color visible within it. Bringing out this beautiful color is extremely difficult due to the need for strong reduction firing, where the kiln temperature does not easily rise, necessitating constant temperature adjustments day and night. The kiln firing lasts for more than seven days, conducted under extremely harsh conditions, requiring careful attention. The outcome varies significantly with the seasons and climate, demanding a level of delicacy that allows for no moment of inattention. The color of Shino leaves an impression like "the soil seen after the snow melts" or "a beautiful sunset formed by clouds and the setting sun." Capturing and expressing the fleeting natural beauty without any preconceived ideas or intentions, Shino continues to captivate people's hearts, both now and in the past.
Sake Vessels of Shino: Opening the Flavor
Sake drunk from Shino is said to open up in flavor. Just as wine is decanted, sake too, once it meets the air, gains in aroma, finds its balance, and shows its sweetness. Beneath the glaze, a Shino vessel keeps the soft skin of the clay. Sake poured into it touches that skin and opens slowly, as if the vessel were breathing. A cup poured while looking at the fire-red and milky white seems to show a slightly different face, even with the same sake. With a Shino sake vessel by Kato Takaya, an evening drink alone, taken slowly.
Suitable for
Care
Please wash by hand using a soft sponge or cloth when cleaning. Please refrain from using abrasive sponges for cleaning.
Please note
