The Wild Fire Cup — Shino Wood-Fired Teacup

The Wild Fire Cup — Raw, Uneven, and Entirely Its Own

This cup does not pretend to be perfect. It is asymmetrical, hand-pinched into an irregular form that is not quite round, not quite square — something in between, shaped by hands and fire without apology. If you are looking for a refined, even vessel, this is not it. If you are looking for something that carries the full, unmediated character of the wood kiln, read on.

Glaze & Surface: The exterior is covered in a dense, three-dimensional crawled glaze — large, rounded white fragments separated by deep iron-brown channels, the whole surface raised and textured like a relief map. The glaze is thick and sculptural; running your fingers across it is a distinct physical experience. At several points on both the exterior and interior walls, the glaze did not reach the clay — areas of bare dark stoneware are exposed where the kiln's heat drew the glaze away or where coverage was insufficient. These unglazed patches are an honest part of this cup's story, not a design feature. The interior carries a strong contrast of iron-black ground and white crawled glaze, with visible drips and pooling at the rim where the glaze ran during firing.

Form & Feel:

• Irregular, asymmetrical form — hand-pinched, not thrown on a wheel; noticeably uneven from all angles
• Undulating rim — rises and falls unevenly, with slight angular corners
• 340g weight — the heaviest in the collection; very solid in the hands
• Thick walls with good heat retention
• Small unglazed foot ring — dark stoneware, slightly off-centre

A Note on Condition: This cup has multiple unglazed spots on both the exterior and interior walls where bare clay is exposed. The form is intentionally irregular but more so than most pieces in this collection. It is priced to reflect these characteristics honestly. It is a cup for someone who values raw process over polished result.

For the Art of Tea: The generous size and heavy walls make it well suited to robust teas — aged pu-erh, roasted oolong, or hojicha. Hold it in both hands and feel the weight of the kiln in your palms.

One of a kind. Wood-fired in a single kiln firing. Never to be repeated.

Care

Suitable for contact with tea. Hand wash gently and avoid abrasive cleaners. Variations and firing marks are part of this one-of-a-kind handmade piece.