Dripping Scratch Ware

A new work by Yuki Inoue, themed on the fusion of street culture and Arita ware, has arrived.

The Dripping series employs a technique called "yūteki" (glaze drip). In this technique, a brush is loaded with plenty of glaze and left to drip, producing patterns that emerge by chance — a quality that evokes the atmosphere of graffiti art.

It inherits the direction of the Inoue Manji Kiln, known for expression that brings out the inherent beauty of porcelain, while attempting to fuse the spirit of street culture into Arita ware. Street culture carries a resilience born of overcoming adversity, and Inoue is drawn to the hungry, rebellious spirit that drives it.

This new work boldly evolves the brushwork variation and color range of the existing Dripping series. Composed of three colors — black, white, and lapis lazuli — this is the first attempt to combine multiple colors. Black uses "gosu", a pigment traditionally used for Arita ware decoration, while lapis lazuli uses "ruri-yu" (lapis glaze) — both classic Arita ware colors. Where Inoue usually applies the "yuteki" (glaze-dripping) technique, in which the brush never directly touches the vessel, the "gosu" areas here are painted with direct brush contact. This stems from gosu's original use in hand-painted decoration, giving this bold expression its own originality.

Layering multiple colors creates depth and movement in the work, while variation in brushstroke pressure and scratching (rapid, scraped marks) evokes the improvisation, dynamism, and assertive presence of abstract graffiti art. A work that draws on the materials and techniques of Arita ware while updating them into an entirely new form.

The form is characterized by a plump, rounded shape.
Formed with lightness in mind, this tokkuri sake bottle is easy to hold and easy to pour.

A single sake flask.

Delivered in a paulownia wood box.

Fine scratches or iron particles may be visible in some cases, but these do not affect usability; thank you for your understanding in advance.