Yoshiko Hirose's gray-blue semi-porcelain cup

This cup (for tea or coffee) in Japanese semi-porcelain, shaped by Yoshiko Hirose, seduces with the accuracy of its proportions and the softness of its contrasts. Its white exterior, with a slightly powdery texture, contrasts with the deep gray-blue interior, where the The glaze line forms a moving border, evoking a frosted edge. The piece embodies the delicate balance between technical mastery and the spontaneity of fire, a signature of the ceramicist's work.

The ceramist
Born in 1972, Yoshiko Hirose lives and works in Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture, a hub of Japanese ceramics. After studying at Musashino University of Art and Design, she trained as a potter in the Mashiko-yaki tradition before establishing her own studio. Her work is distinguished by a search for harmony between light tones and glazed surfaces, which she develops through everyday pieces imbued with great formal purity. Her porcelain, often made in han-jiki (semi-porcelain), reveals a highly personal use of glaze, somewhere between matte and translucent.

The technique and the decor
The cup is thrown from a han-jiki (semi-porcelain) paste, a mixture of clay and kaolin that gives the piece a soft density and slight translucency. The exterior is given a satiny white glaze, while the interior is covered with a vitrified gray-blue glaze, the fusion of which creates an irregular line of micro-crystallizations at the rim. This subtle gradation, characteristic of Hirose's work, is achieved by superimposing glazes with different melting points, causing a natural separation of colors during firing. The interior surface, smooth and slightly iridescent, recalls the effects of still water, while the exterior emphasizes its sobriety.

Practical information
Place of manufacture
Japan (Mashiko, Tochigi Prefecture)

Dimensions
Diameter 9 cm – Height 5 cm

Weight
147 g

Materials
Porcelain (han-jiki, semi-porcelain)

Period
Contemporary

Care instructions
After use, drain the water and let it air dry. Avoid thermal shock and abrasive products. Wipe with a soft cloth. Do not use in the dishwasher, oven, or microwave.

As each piece is created by hand, slight variations in shape, color or texture may appear compared to the photos, reflecting the unique nature of this artisanal work.