Coupelle Warizansho (Sliced Japanese Pepper)

Cup by Taku Kiyama, ceramic artist based in Fukuoka, Japan.

The Warizansho (割山椒) is a typical form of Japanese tableware, a small dish shaped like the berry of sansho 山椒 (a highly aromatic pepper used in Asian cuisine). 

The structure reveals the food inside through a slit, and this cutout is placed in a depression in front of it. The seemingly invisible structure gives us desire and inspiration.

The glaze used for this series is a celadon crackle (青磁氷裂釉), it consists of a minute amount of iron contained in the glaze and perfect control of the cooking process with a reducing flame.
The resulting texture is reminiscent of a delicate surface of clear ice or the petals of a hydrangea.
The blue green color of Celadon is a significant color in Taku Kiyama’s work.

Furthermore, it takes a lot of time and concentration to create this shape by hand. His sincerity in creating these works of art is evident in the way he carefully and flawlessly completes them, one by one.
Shade and finish may vary slightly and contribute to the unique character of each piece.

Size: Ø10 x H 6.5 cm 

Together with a Seijirinka dessert plate , this series expresses the beauty of the changing seasons in Japan.

Made in Japan, Fukuoka Prefecture

Taku Kiyama 

A ceramic artist based in Fukuoka, Japan. After graduating from college, he studied under ceramic artist Shigemasa Kajiwara. In 2013, he established himself in his hometown of Kasuga, Fukuoka, where he mainly produces ceramics for traditional Kappo-ryori (割烹料理) restaurants.

The cracked celadon glaze technique is one of his best-known works. Its dignified shape and beautiful colors are unique. He is one of the most promising young ceramic artists.