Celestial Gold Vol.3:
Book & Kinrande Sencha Teacups Set (Set of 5)

A rare opportunity to own a work by the late Hakuko Ono. This piece comes paired with the book "天空の黄金 Tenkū no Ōgon (Celestial Gold)", written by Emi Ono, the daughter-in-law of Hakuko. In this book, Emi provides an intimate and insightful look at Hakuko’s artistry and life. Reading this book will bring the artwork to life, allowing you to appreciate its unique beauty and mastery on a whole new level.

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Introducing the World of Hakuko Ono: A Story of "天空の黄金 Celestial Gold"

Those who were close to the late ceramic artist Hakuko Ono describe her as truly exceptional. She was sophisticated, endlessly curious, remarkably resilient, and fiercely competitive. Even from childhood, she possessed a natural charisma that drew everyone’s attention—a woman of rare talent and capability. In the 1960s and 70s, Hakuko took the ceramic world by storm with her mastery of Yuri-kinsai (Underglaze Gold Leaf), a technique where gold leaf radiates with a deep, ethereal glow from beneath a layer of glaze. At a time when the world of Japanese ceramics was dominated by men, she rose to prominence without ever formally apprenticing under a master. With sheer determination and momentum, she swept the most prestigious awards in the field one after another.
Despite the immense struggle required to perfect her technique, she remained famously stoic about her process. She once said:
"The finished work is everything. There is no point in talking about the hardships along the way. If an artist complains about how difficult the work was, they are simply telling the world they aren't skilled enough. You must keep a cool, composed face at all times."
The title of this book, "天空の黄金 Tenkū no Ōgon (Celestial Gold)"also became the title of her final solo exhibition. It was proposed by someone captivated by her work.

This is how it all began.(quoted from the preface to "天空の黄金 Celestial Gold")

It was September, three years ago. A man walked into my shop. He was a stranger, someone I had never met before. On display at the time was a deep green sake cup, a piece of Yūri-kinsai (underglaze gold leaf) by Hakuko Ono. The customer seemed deeply moved by the beauty of the piece—a beauty he had never witnessed before. "Is there a bank nearby?" he asked. "Yes, of course," I replied. My shop is in an ideal location: one bank is just a 30-second walk away, another within a minute, and two more at Aoyama-itchome Station. The man immediately stepped out, saying he was going to withdraw the money. I wondered if he would truly return. At the time, I had only recently opened the shop. Customers were few, and sales were even rarer. But he did come back. He purchased the sake cup he had been admiring. Throughout my career in various fields, I had been taught that collecting payment is the foundation of business, and at times, I had struggled with it. I never imagined I would receive payment in such a heartfelt way. I was truly grateful. Later, I even received a kind letter of appreciation from him. In that letter, he made a suggestion: "One day, please hold a solo exhibition for Hakuko Ono. And for the title, how about '天空の黄金 Celestial Gold'?" Celestial Gold... I was profoundly moved by this phrase, thinking there could be no better expression to describe the work of this female ceramic artist. I held those words close to my heart. It made me wonder: if she creates "Celestial Gold," is Hakuko Ono herself a celestial maiden dancing in the heavens? We invite you to discover the story behind this title and her life by reading the accompanying book, "天空の黄金 Celestial Gold".

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Kinrande Sencha Teacup Set (Set of 5)

This set of five Sencha teacups is crafted using the "Kinrande" technique, a prestigious style that has been passed down since China's Ming Dynasty (1364–1644).
The Kinrande process is exceptionally meticulous:
1. Overglaze enamels are applied and fired onto the ceramic.
2. Intricate patterns are then hand-painted using lacquer (urushi), which acts as an adhesive.
3. Pure gold leaf is applied over the lacquer.
4. Finally, the surface is gently brushed with a soft quill, leaving the brilliant gold only on the lacquered portions.

The Allure of Living Gold
Because the gold leaf sits directly on the surface, it may develop a unique patina, slight abrasions, or subtle wear over many years of use. Rather than diminishing its value, this creates a luxurious and captivating brilliance as the light hits the raw gold. This "evolving beauty" is a cherished characteristic of authentic Kinrande ware.

Design and Artistry
Each cup is individually hand-thrown on a potter's wheel. The centerpiece of the design is the magnificent golden Peony, the "King of Flowers," intertwined with decorative foliage in a pattern known as "Botan-Karakusa" (Peony and Arabesque).

Provenance
The accompanying wooden storage box features an inscription (Hakogaki) by the artist's son, Jiro, ensuring its authenticity and lineage. These five teacups exude a sense of gorgeous elegance and refined dignity, perfect for any connoisseur.