A Pair of Yunomi Tea Cups 双湯呑（そうゆのみ） – Toshitaka Kawai 河井敏孝（かわい としたか） A Pair of Masterful and Robustly Decorated "Tori-mon" (Bird Motif) Yunomi Tea Cups by Toshitaka Kawai This lot features a magnificent pair of Yunomi (Japanese tea cups), known as Sō-Yunomi (双湯呑 - A Pair of Tea Cups), crafted by the contemporary artist Toshitaka Kawai (河井敏孝). Kawai continues the legacy of his grandfather, the towering figure of modern Japanese ceramics, Kanjiro Kawai (河井寛次郎), whose work profoundly influenced the Mingei (Folk Craft) movement. In this powerful pair, Toshitaka Kawai pays homage to his grandfather by adopting the signature Tori-mon (鳥文 - Bird Motif), a design Kanjiro Kawai frequently employed. The cups exhibit a robust, earthy aesthetic, utilizing a rich, iron-bearing clay body overlaid with a crackled white glaze, further enhanced by dark Gos (呉須 - Cobalt Oxide) and contrasting Saidei (彩泥 - Colored Clay Slip) decorations. The foot and the base of the cups are left unglazed or glazed with a deep iron brown, providing a satisfying visual anchor. The essence of the Mingei philosophy, which champions the beauty of utilitarian crafts intended for everyday life rather than as mere art objects, is beautifully encapsulated in these pieces. They are designed to be enjoyed and used daily, connecting the owner to a profound tradition of Japanese folk art and master craftsmanship. --- Artist Profile Toshitaka Kawai 河井敏孝（かわい としたか） • 1946 Born in Tokushima Prefecture • 1969 Graduated from the University of Tokyo and joined Sumitomo Life Insurance • 1970 Became the adopted son of Hirotsugu Kawai (河井博次), heir of Kanjiro Kawai • 1973 Opened the Kanjiro Kawai Memorial Museum at the former residence, serving as its director from the beginning through today • 1979 Resigned from Sumitomo Life and moved to Shigaraki • 1980 Entered the field of ceramics in Shigaraki --- Accessories • Tomobako (Signed wooden box) --- Dimensions & Weight • Height: 8.8 cm • Width: 8.5 cm • Depth: 8.5 cm • Diameter: 8.5 cm • Weight: — --- Technique & Condition • Technique: Kyō-yaki (京焼) tradition. Earthenware (陶土) decorated with Gos (呉須 - Cobalt Oxide) and Saidei (彩泥 - Colored Slip) under a crackled glaze. • Condition: Excellent / unused (未使用美品). • Production period: Around 1990 (1990年前後). • One of the two cups bears the artist’s ceramic seal (陶印). --- Shipping Shipping via Japan Post EMS from Japan. Items are securely packed to ensure safe international delivery. Please note that I can ship only to countries where EMS delivery from Japan is available. For bidders in the United States: Please be aware that additional import duties or tariffs may be applied by U.S. Customs, and the amounts can be significantly high depending on the item and the current regulations. If you choose to place a bid, please do so with full understanding of the possible customs charges. Import duties, VAT, and customs handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.