White stoneware, red copper glaze based on local minerals and wood ash

Height: 7 cm

Width: 11,5 cm

This handmade ceramic box is crafted using the kurinuki technique, a traditional Japanese pottery method. It is a rarely practiced process in which objects are carved from a solid block of clay by cutting and tearing away fragments to preserve the material’s characteristic raw structure. The form is then cut open and hollowed out inside. The resulting box can be used as a container for tea, spices, incense, or small objects. Its exterior is glazed, while the interior is left unglazed, emphasizing the natural qualities of the clay. Inspired by geology, our designs aim to reveal the full spectrum of clay’s textures – from soft and plastic to earthy and rough like rock. 

The transparent ceramic glaze, developed according to our own recipe from local stone, clay, and wood ash, highlights the unique surface texture. Red copper crystals present in the glaze create a subtle effect reminiscent of mountain peaks in autumn. This result emerged during the reduction firing of the oribe glaze in a traditional wood-fired kiln. The process lasts around 24 hours, reaching temperatures of up to 1250°C. As a result, each box becomes a one-of-a-kind example of artistic ceramics, merging craftsmanship with nature.