Hidasuki Gourd‐shaped Sake Set
This Bizen ware sake set, including a unique gourd-shaped sake carafe, features a pattern called hidasuki. The coarse texture, exquisite colors, and patterns produced by the kiln’s flames are remarkable examples of Bizen ware, celebrated as “the art of clay and fire.”
This hidasuki pattern is made when the work is wrapped in straw and placed in a kiln with a cover called a saya, and fired in a place away from direct heat. It becomes light brown in color throughout and scarlet in the areas where the straw is wrapped. The vivid contrast between the two colors make it a very popular pattern. Each firing results in a different pattern, making each piece a unique work of art.
The microscopic pores inside Bizen ware mellow the flavors of sake and make the aroma more fragrant. This effect has been famous for centuries, leading to the saying “second-grade sake becomes first-grade sake when sake is kept in a Bizen ware pot.”
