Fluctuation Sake Set

With the Fluctuation Sake Set, Seto ware artist Taruta Hiroshi reflects on the ever-changing nature of light. The set comprises one sake carafe and two sake cups. Finished in a soft celadon glaze, the bowl feels light and quietly refined in its presence. Across the porcelain surface, long flowing lines are drawn freehand and carefully carved, creating slight variations in thickness that give the material both texture and radiance. Where the porcelain grows especially thin, light gathers and glimmers softly.

The technique Taruta applied, known as hotarude—literally “firefly technique”—traditionally involves carving intricate openings in porcelain and coating them with a translucent glaze. This allows light to pass through the vessel while maintaining a seamless surface, creating points of illumination reminiscent of fireflies glimmering in a silk-dark night.

Beyond the intricacy of the carving, the glaze plays an essential role in shaping its luminous character. Taruta began working with this glaze during his apprenticeship and continued to refine its formulation by carefully adjusting glaze composition and firing conditions, achieving a balance of color and translucency. The porcelain glows softly while preserving the clarity of the carved lines.

Where the porcelain becomes thinnest, a soft luminosity emerges, its gentle glow recalling light filtering through drifting clouds. Because light itself shifts with the hour and the season, the set offers a slightly different expression each time it is used. Whether enjoyed over a tranquil evening drink or shared in an unhurried gathering, it invites the drinker to pause and savor the beauty of changing light.

Taruta Hiroshi

Taruta Hiroshi is a Seto ware artist specializing in hotarude, an openwork technique in which cutouts are carved in clay, then filled with translucent glaze before firing. Working with porcelain and pale celadon glaze, Taruta thus creates landscapes of light with each delicate incision. He brings an innovative approach to his work, seeking out new modes of expression as he pushes the boundaries of hotarude. His elegant vessels foster interactions between space and light that bring a sense of wonder and quiet mystery.

Seto Ware

Made in and around Seto City in Aichi Prefecture, Seto ware encompasses a wide range of ceramics that reflect centuries of craftsmanship and innovation. As one of Japan’s Six Ancient Kilns (Rokkoyo), the Seto region holds a distinguished place in the country’s ceramic heritage. It was also a pioneer in porcelain mass-production, and its widespread use gave rise to the word setomono—a term still used today to refer to ceramics in general.

Remarkable for its stylistic breadth, Seto is one of the few regions in Japan where both stoneware and porcelain are made. From simple everyday tableware to more refined pieces, Seto ware continues to shape the rhythm of daily life with creations that balance tradition and creativity.