Sake vessels

The taste of sake changes the moment it touches your lips. An "ultra-thin" ceramic sake cup, imbued with the warmth of earth and the luster of lacquer.

There are vessels that can transform your evening drink at the end of the day into a special ritual. This barrel-shaped sake cup is born from "Totai Shikki" (lacquered ceramics), an ancient technique that fuses the powerful earthiness of "Echizen-yaki" and the moist elegance of "Echizen-shikki," two proud traditional crafts of Fukui Prefecture.
When you gently cup it in both hands, you'll be surprised by its lightness, uncharacteristic of an earthen vessel, and the delicate, ultra-thin rim, turned to its absolute limit. Pour in your favorite sake and bring it to your lips; the ultra-thin rim will clearly convey the contours of the sake, and its rich, subtle aroma will waft into your nasal passages. This is not just a tool for drinking sake; it is a supreme item that satisfies all five senses, from the tactile sensation on your fingertips to the touch on your lips, and the unparalleled taste.

The tactile sensation of lacquer clinging to your fingers, and an ultra-thin rim that highlights the contours of the sake.

When held, the moist, pleasant feel unique to lacquer adheres to your fingers as if suctioned. Its most distinguishing feature is the ultra-thin rim, pared down to 1-2mm solely relying on the craftsman's fingertips. The moment it touches your lips, the presence of the vessel seems to vanish, allowing the pure deliciousness and refreshing coolness of the sake itself to flow in directly. Different from glass sake vessels, the soft and smooth feel unique to lacquered ceramics is so comfortable that once you experience it, you won't want to go back to other vessels.

A "barrel-shaped" form that cradles aroma, and a small canvas that graces the dining table.

The charmingly round, 90ml barrel-shaped design is not only aesthetically pleasing but also a rational shape that gently holds the rich aroma of sake within. You can fully enjoy both the fruity aroma of Daiginjo and the rich rice umami of Junmai-shu.
Furthermore, using it not only as a sake cup but also as a small bowl for serving delicacies or appetizers is a wonderful experience. Placing items like salted squid guts, sea urchin, or cream cheese marinated in soy sauce will allow the deep color of the lacquer to beautifully enhance the food. Your everyday dining table will transform into a serene and beautiful scene, like the counter of a high-end Japanese restaurant.

Echizen-yaki × Echizen-shikki. The beauty of "Totai Shikki" where two major traditional crafts intersect.

"Totai Shikki" is born from the technique of Echizen-yaki, where iron-rich Echizen clay is turned on a potter's wheel to an extreme thinness, and then craftsmen of Echizen-shikki apply multiple layers of lacquer. It is a luxurious technique that cannot be achieved without the high-level skills of both, and the combination of the warmth of the earth and the depth of lacquer reveals a unique profundity that is neither mere pottery nor mere lacquerware. Both color variations blend seamlessly into daily life while radiating a distinct presence.

Ease of handling that fits everyday use, and the practicality of "nurturing" it.

Despite being a traditional craft, its ease of everyday use is a key factor in wanting to cherish it for a long time. The barrel-shaped form has a low center of gravity for stability and fits neatly into a cupboard.
To preserve the beauty of the lacquer for a long time, washing by hand with a soft sponge is fundamental, rather than using a dishwasher. However, lacquerware dries very quickly and oil stains wash off easily, making daily care surprisingly simple. The gradual increase in luster and how it becomes more familiar to your hand with each use and wash over time. You can experience the joy of nurturing your own unique vessel in your daily life.

The ruggedness of Echizen-yaki and the refinement of Echizen-shikki. This sake cup, which masterfully fuses these two seemingly opposing charms through ultra-thin wheel-throwing techniques, fundamentally elevates the quality of your daily evening drink. The pleasant feel on the lips, the expansive aroma, and the ease of care. It is a Japanese masterpiece that combines practicality and artistry at a high level, a piece you'll want to keep by your side for a lifetime.

【Recommended for these people】

• Those who want to enjoy the taste and aroma of sake more delicately and directly.
• Those looking for a sake cup that is comfortable to hold, combining the warmth of pottery with the elegance of lacquerware.
• Those who want to use it not only as a sake cup but also as a vessel to beautifully present delicacies and appetizers.
• Those who prioritize daily usability, such as ease of care and storage.
• Those who want to nurture a lifelong vessel while enjoying its aging process.

Where the warmth of Echizen ware clay and the luster of Echizen lacquerware intersect.
The moment it touches your lips, your usual sake transforms into "the finest sake" in this ceramic-bodied lacquerware.

Gently cradling it in both hands, you feel the reassuring weight of the clay along with the moist warmth unique to lacquer. This is the "Tobai-shikki" (ceramic-bodied lacquerware) Haneki Guinomi (sake cup with a flared rim), where Echizen ware and Echizen lacquerware, two traditional crafts that Fukui Prefecture boasts, are splendidly fused.
The "ultra-thin" form, challenging the limits of craftsmanship, not only contributes to the beauty of the vessel but also maximizes the potential of sake. Pour cold sake into the deep scenery created by the two color variations, and the water surface quietly reflects the light, transforming your usual evening drink into a special experience, as if you were at the counter of a high-end Japanese restaurant.

The ultimate mouthfeel delivered by the "ultra-thin Haneki" (flared rim) that conforms to your lips.

The "Haneki" shape, where the rim of the vessel gently flares outwards, and the surprisingly thin finish of the drinking edge are the greatest charms of this guinomi. There is absolutely no snagging the moment it touches your lips, and the sake flows smoothly onto your tongue. The aroma wafts through your nasal passages, allowing you to experience the fruity notes of Daiginjo or the rich umami of Junmai-shu with exceptional vividness. The exquisite capacity of 110ml is perfectly sized for leisurely enjoying your sake.

Echizen ware x Echizen lacquerware. A luxurious texture where two histories are savored at your fingertips.

"Tobai-shikki" is completed by using the robust ceramic clay of Echizen ware, counted among Japan's Six Ancient Kilns, as the base, and then having Echizen lacquerware artisans apply multiple layers of lacquer. The natural profoundness of the clay and the smooth, clinging texture of the lacquer coexist, creating an exceptionally luxurious finish. As you use it for a long time, the color and luster of the lacquer will deepen further, revealing its character as "a vessel that grows with you."

A balance of practicality and aesthetics that blends into daily life.

Despite being a traditional craft, its ease of use on the daily dining table has also been meticulously calculated. The sharp form of the flared rim not only makes it easy to drink from but also allows for good stacking when stored. It sits beautifully in the cupboard, taking up minimal space. Due to the nature of lacquerware, dishwasher use is not recommended, but it's easy to clean and dries quickly, so a quick hand wash with a soft sponge is sufficient. Even the effort of daily maintenance transforms into a rich time of cherishing the vessel.

Not just a sake vessel, but a "small frame" to adorn your dishes.

Beyond pouring sake, we also recommend using it as a small bowl for serving appetizers. For example, simply plating a small amount of salted squid guts (ika no shiokara), marinated salmon roe (ikura no shoyuzuke), or seasonal shira-ae (vegetables in tofu dressing) will allow the luster of the lacquer to vividly highlight the colors of the ingredients, creating a dish akin to a work of art. Even your usual side dishes are transformed into exceptional appetizers when served in this vessel.

This is truly a lifelong vessel that sharpens your senses with every touch, amplifying the flavor of your usual sake and dishes many times over. While possessing an overwhelming presence woven from Echizen clay and lacquer, it also doesn't forget daily considerations like ease of storage and maintenance, making it a masterpiece that combines practicality and artistry.

Recommended for:

• Those who want to fully savor the aroma and mouthfeel of their favorite sake.
• Those attracted to unique and unusual textured vessels that fuse the robustness of clay with the warmth of lacquer.
• Those who enjoy carefully nurturing their vessel with hand washing and appreciate the changing color and luster over time.
• Those looking for practical and refined sake vessels that stack beautifully in the cupboard.