White porcelain cup by Tsutomu Takeshita

This Japanese porcelain cup by Tsutomu Takeshita combines the delicacy of a white glaze with ivory undertones and a sober form, slightly tapered at the top. Its surface, crisscrossed by a fine network of cracks, reveals variations in texture and transparency under the light. Designed for both coffee and tea, it illustrates the ceramicist's attention to everyday objects, their balance, and the pleasure of using them.

The ceramicist
Born in 1986 in Nagano Prefecture, Tsutomu Takeshita studied ceramics at the Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center in Gifu Prefecture, graduating in 2007. He then worked at the Gyokuzan kiln before becoming independent in 2015. He also continued his training under Yasuo Tamaki, a holder of an Intangible Cultural Property title from Gifu Prefecture.

His work is notably inspired by the white porcelains of the Joseon dynasty in Korea, whose simplicity and warmth of form he admires. He favors objects designed for daily life, in which the sobriety of the design allows the material and function to take center stage.

Technique and decoration
Seihakuji is a Japanese porcelain with a translucent glaze, the shades of which oscillate between white and a very pale blue. After shaping and a first firing, the piece is coated with a glaze that vitrifies during high-temperature firing. Variations in the thickness of this glaze, as well as its reactions to heat, produce subtle effects of color and depth.

On this cup, the glaze features a network of kannyū, fine cracks that form when the glaze and the porcelain contract at different rates during cooling. These delicate lines, particularly visible under raking light, animate the surface without interrupting its visual softness.

The cylindrical form, slightly tapered towards the top rim, rests on a small, discreet foot. The shades of the enamel and the variations inherent to the firing process give this piece its unique character.

Place of manufacture
Japan (Gifu Prefecture)

Dimensions
Height 9 cm - Diameter 6.2 cm

Weight
160 g

Materials
Porcelain

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
After use, empty the liquid and let air dry. Avoid thermal shock and abrasive products. Wipe with a soft cloth. Not suitable for dishwasher, oven, or microwave.

As each piece is handcrafted, slight variations in shape, color, or texture may occur compared to the photos, testifying to the unique nature of this artisanal work.