Guinomi Handcrafted Japanese Sake Cup (Guinomi), Oribe Ware

Night-black surfaces and ochre-colored triangular shapes alternate on this small sake cup, with light circles dotted in between like drifting cherry blossoms across the vessel wall. The guinomi is crafted in the style of Oribe-yaki, that ceramic tradition known for its bold handling of surface, contrast, and asymmetrical patterning. Hand-formed, the slightly irregular rim clearly shows the traces of potting – no piece is like another.

The interior is glazed in a warm honey color, forming an appealing contrast to the dark outer wall, where the black base glaze merges with the unglazed, earthy-brown areas into a graphic pattern. The wall feels grippy and slightly rough to the touch, as is typical for traditionally fired ceramics.

Intended as a small drinking vessel for sake, the cup sits comfortably in the hand and is as suitable for a set table as it is as a standalone collector's item. It dates from the Heisei period and combines modern craftsmanship with a centuries-old Japanese design language.