Mishima Yunomi with Animals & Urban Stuff #366a

Mishima pottery comes from the Japanese Island of Mishima, but it was originally transported from Korea around the 16th century. This surface design technique is a way of drawing lines incised in leather-hard clay then overlaying a slip of contrasting color and carefully scraping the slip away to leave the color only in the lines. Here’s a video.

This method gives me a chance to draw on my pots with a sensitivity very different from brush work.  Brushes are quick and loose.  Mishima is a draftsman’s labor of love.

This cup is about 4 1/2 inches high and will hold at least 16oz. Hand built stoneware fired to cone six for durability and beautiful depth in the glazing. Each cup is individually made and decorated, dishwasher safe, food safe, lead free. I’ve been using my cups in the microwave for years with no problems.