Kurodakatsu Glaze Yunomi Cup by Ryumonji Pottery

This yunomi style cup was made by the potters of the Ryumonji pottery collective in Kagoshima

The dakatsu glaze featured on its surface is distinctive to Ryumonji-ware. It is achieved through the harvest of a particular clay type, which is applied to the surface, and a particular position within their large multi-chamber wood fired kiln which allows the produced effect.

This is the kuro (black) dakatsu variant, with each firing producing unique results to surprise and inspire the ceramicists who make the pieces.

You can spend some time considering the formations on the surface, while enjoying a hot drink from the vessel.

As handmade items made with this process, each is unique.

The cups are 8cm in diameter and 9cm high. They weigh around 280g, and contain 250ml of liquid.

About the Ryumonji Pottery Cooperative 

Sourcing the ingredients for their ceramics in their immediate area, and firing them in a wood fired hillside kiln, Ryumonji-ware is connected to Kagoshima’s land, and to the history of its ceramics.

With history dating to the early Edo era, Ryumonji-ware is one of the lineages in so called ‘black’ Kagoshima ceramics. In contrast to the ‘white’ work that was characterised by its finery, and provided to the rulers of the domain, the ceramics made at the Ryumonji kilns were for use in everyday life. It developed a rustic beauty, and a quality that began to be truly appreciated in the 20th century. Despite this, ceramics in the region was under threat, but ultimately preserved by the creation of the pottery cooperative.

Ryumonji-ware is known for the excellent quality of white base decoration clay, and for pattern work such as green and caramel brown trailing, or blues onto blacks. The potters make Kagoshima classics such as the ‘choka’ vessels used for serving the local shochu spirt, and use distinct firing techniques and locally found materials to achieve their shark skin and dakatsu effect glazes. As such the work in Ryumonji-ware is a tradition alive and evolving.