Ginsai Glass Guinomi

Tokeido - The six families of the Bizen Kilns

Bizen pottery is one of the six traditional types of pottery coming from the kilns of medieval Japan (Bizen, Echizen, Seto, Shigaraki, Tanba, and Tokoname). Tokeido has kept the traditional Bizen pottery-making techniques that originated in the Heian Era (roughly a 1000-year period beginning in 794 AD). The traditional approach excludes glazing and utilizes a 2-week-long firing process relying solely on red pine as fuel. The clay is dug up from the soil of the rice fields in the nearby area. The Tokeido kiln has been passed down for 18 generations within the Kimura family, one of the original "Six Families" who were exclusively permitted to create Bizen style pottery in the Muromachi Era by the master of Tea Ceremony (or local lord). Furthermore, the Kimura family has been a purveyor to the Imperial Household Ministry and the Ceremonial Agency. At JKI, we carry art pieces by Tozan Kimura (the 17th generation) as well as work by his son, Hideaki Kimura (the 18th generation).

This pour over set comes with four pieces: the stand, dripper, mug, and ramekin. It displays the traditional Bizen beauty, a pattern developed by the natural ash that falls on the clay pieces and the direction of the flames and shadows inside the kiln during the firing process. This piece is designed for brewing and holding hot coffee and the thickness of the clay walls helps retain heat and be manageable to hold. The stand is made out of solid, well-joined and oiled walnut slabs in a contemporary design. The dripper uses paper filters and it is recommended to crease the filters in a way to better fit within the walls. The ramekin can be used to catch the final drips after the coffee is brewed or as a dish for milk and cream.

NOT DISHWASHER SAFE

*The photos are indicative of the general look of these, but, as there are many samples, there may be a slight variation from product to product

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

These cups are mostly clear glass, but the bottoms feature a black glass section with gold metalic accents.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.

These glasses are made near the lake Tokurako in Obanazawa, Yamagata, Japan. This glass studio is located in Japanese "snow country" in the North - in winter when you look outside, it's all silvery-white snow outside, and nothing else is visible.  The summers are bright and very hot. This beautifully rich scenery, and the surrounding nature, inspire the craftsman. Ito-san hopes to reflect this nature and the kind, thoughtful people of the area in his art pieces, while preserving the "snow silver" pattern technique, for which he is known, in his hand-blown glass.

This piece has a deep, ocean-like blue, with the studio's unique "silver snow effect" woven into them.

*these glass pieces are NOT dishwasher safe.