Goma Bizen Ware Japanese Sake Set by Hozan

Why We Love It

This authentic Bizen ware sake set features two handcrafted sake cups and a sake bottle in a custom-made wooden box, signed by the artist making it the perfect gift for sake lovers.

Bizen ware is one of the most remarkable Japanese pottery. Usually not glazed, Bizen-yaki has a natural appearance. The rusticity of Bizen-yaki has been appreciated for centuries for its wabi sabi nature: unique, austere, imperfect, gaining charm and beauty with time and use.

Inside the ancient cave kiln, pine tree ash flies and sticks to the clay, adding a natural glaze to the surface. The glossy and granulated ochre accent of this sake set is named goma (胡麻, lit. “sesame seeds”) and is a distinctive feature of Bizen-yaki.  It is said that the iron contained in Bizen clay enhances the aroma and taste of sake, so enjoy the mellow flavor along with the intricate craftsmanship of the sake set.

Why Choose a Sake Set from Bizen

Bizen-yaki (備前焼) is a type of pottery created in the city of Bizen, in Okayama prefecture. Bizen is one of Japan's Six Ancient Kilns and the development of these kilns and techniques have been carefully preserved, representing a vital contribution to Japan’s traditional arts.

In the 16^th century, Bizen-yaki gained the favor of Sen no Rikyu, the famous master of the tea ceremony, for its wabi sabi aesthetics. This notion of wabi sabi is a key concept in Japanese sensibility: the appreciation of the ephemeral beauty of an imperfect object, which becomes more beautiful as time passes, and consequently acquires its own charm and an untranslatable idea of serenity.

Working with Bizen clay requires master craftsmanship to shape the wares and position them expertly inside the anagama climbing kiln. During the long wood-firing process, the artisans don’t touch the wares, so it takes years of experience to know how to place the ceramics in the kiln to achieve the greatest outcome. The final appearance of each piece is not entirely predictable, making every dish or sake cup wholly original and unique. Making Bizen pottery is so arduous that most kilns only do a firing once or twice a year, or even less.

This sake set is handcrafted by ceramic artist Toshiaki Mori at the Hozan Kiln in the town of Bizen. A direct descendant from the six Bizen-yaki potter families, Mori-san is the 19^th generation master artisan, who not only was selected and received awards at various national ceramics exhibitions, but also exhibited his works internationally, in the USA, UK, and Taiwan.

Caring For Your Bizen Ware Sake Set

After use, the sake bottle and cups should be rinsed thoroughly with hot water, which will help them to dry faster. 

Details 

• Sake set, comprising a sake bottle and two sake cups
• Handmade in Japan
• Free gift-wrapping in Japanese furoshiki cloth
• Includes custom-made wooden box, signed by the artist
• Goma (sesame) technique
• As each handmade product is unique, there will be differences in size, color, and pattern from the photographs above.
• Sake bottle: ⌀ 3¾” (9.5cm), height 4¾” (12cm), capacity 13 fl.oz (400ml)
• Sake cup: ⌀ 2½” (6.5cm), height 2” (5.6cm), capacity 3 fl.oz (90ml)
• Product code: 95301GM