Round Cup by Koichi Iinuma

This round cup was made by Kōichi Iinuma at his studio in Kasama.  With crystallisation, and a contrast in skilfully achieved blue shades in glaze - it shows some of the essential elements, and fine quality, of Iinuma's work. 

It is 9cm in diameter, and 8cm high.  It weighs around 280g, and contains 310ml of liquid.

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.