From his ‘heki-yu’ series of tableware, Kōichi Iinuma here adds a handle to his cup form to create a special kind of mug. The colour shade heki in Japanese refers to a beautiful blue-green created geologically, or by nature. The depth of the naturally created blues in Iinuma’s glazes shows both his skill as a potter, and the potential within ceramics. He has added dots of gold with his brush to add to overall sense of richness.

Size: 8.5cm x 12.5cm x Height 10.5cm

Weight: 260g

As each is handmade, there can be variations between each piece.

About Kōichi Iinuma

Kōichi Iinuma is a potter who works in bright textures. After receiving his early ceramic education apprenticed to the master potter Kōji Arata in Kasama from 1999, Iinuma established his own kiln in the town five years later. From here he makes work that is bold and distinctive.

A regular in important ceramic prize award categories, Iinuma’s work for galleries and exhibitions is frequently in an imposing series of metallic shades. For the table, he can often prefer striking blues and blueish greens.

Iinuma’s tableware brings an almost glass-like texture to clay. Onto this rich blue surface he adds pattern work and accents of gold and silver. The result is a rare sense of luxury brought to Japanese forms.