Anthony Lee - Jan 01 2020
Gensaiyo Tumblers: Made by an artisan infusing sacred clay
Using glaze on clay from sacred grounds from each prefecture in Shikoku, a truly iconic cup!
The fusion of sacred Shikoku O-Henro Pilgrimage tradition and modern ceramic craftsmanship
The Gensaiyo Tumbler is the fusion of the spirit of peace that has a base in the Shikoku O-Henro, or pilgrimage, and modern day pottery techniques, making the project extremely special. The clay for the glaze has been taken from the sacred ground at Senyuji Temple. It is said that the clay is infused with sacred energy, and as this is used to make the tumblers, these tumblers themselves are infused with this special energy.
They have a unique air to them, and the spirit of Senyuji Temple together with the local characteristics of Shikoku can be felt in this cup. The use of traditional techniques fused with a modern design makes for not only a practical cup but also a beautiful piece of art that truly has value. By putting all of our hard work into this project, we truly believe that by delivering this product to people all over the world, we can support the local traditions of Shikoku as well as the manufacturing industry as well! For this project, we aren’t just offering the cups as rewards for your pledges, but also the chance to experience pottery under an amazing artisan as well as the chance to stay at a pilgrims rest at Senyuji Temple, and all of these are at special Kickstarter prices, letting you experience Shikoku culture in a whole new way!
We ask for your support of this project!
Why are we launching this project?
Through this project, we look to support local traditional manufacturing and to help create sustainable ways of supporting the local economy. We also aim to help support the registration of the Shikoku O-Henro as a World Heritage Site and we wish to utilise local specialities of the area to help people domestically and abroad learn about Shikoku’s culture and manufacturing scene. The reason for creating this project is that Shikoku’s O-Henro is important both historically and culturally, and we wish to spread this importance to people all over, and by doing so we hope to link this back to helping it being registered as a World Heritage Site, which in turn helps us to spread the spirit of Peace to people all around the world.
The Shikoku O-Henro is a pilgrimage to 88 different sacred temples, each with their own unique history and culture, and the O-Henro is beloved by many pilgrims and travellers alike.
Since ancient times during the Shikoku O-Henro, pilgrims have been given food and drink, and have had places prepared for them, and this is all based on the culture of osettai (お接待 which is entertaining guests, and is seen as being a base principle for the spirit of peace, which has been carried on to this day. Through the tumbler, we hope to raise awareness of this spirit and culture among people overseas.
Another major aim of this project is to promote the local industry. By utilising the vast range of local products from Shikoku and developing new items, we look to boost the local economy and contribute to the local community.
Through this project, the people of Shikoku are joined together with the aim of making the O-Henro pilgrimage a World Heritage Site, deepening their bonds to the area, and they believe that they can convey the amazing charms of Shikoku as a whole, together with the spirit of peace, not only domestically but also internationally. The project is being produced as part of an initiative to support the cultural heritage of the Shikoku O-Henro, and in turn, get it registered as a World Heritage Site. By backing the project, you help to support the local traditions and help to promote a local manufacturer.
Using sacred clay as part of the glaze
This tumbler uses clay that has been taken from Senyuji Temple, the 58th temple on the pilgrimage, as part of the glaze. This temple’s clay is said to be infused with sacred energy, and by using it as a glaze, it passes this energy onto the cup.
The use of this clay comes from the traditional culture of the pilgrimage, known as osunafumi (お砂踏み), where a small piece of sand or dirt is taken from each of the 88 temples and collected so that those who aren’t able to go on the pilgrimage can stand on or in front of the dirt and pray. By doing so, it is said that even those who aren’t able to go on this pilgrimage can get the same benefits as those who have. By using clay from Senyuji Temple in the making of this cup, and by using it on a daily basis, you can feel the same spiritual energy from the temple, and we hope that you feel the spirit of peace flow through you.
【おしこく器めぐり】四国霊場の土を釉薬に使用した、こだわりの器 | 四国遍路世界遺産登録祈願プロジェクト
A valuable souviner of a sacred place!
The clay that is used is taken from Senyuji Temple, a sacred site, and has an intrinsic tie with nature, that you can feel when you use the cup. The clay is said to have spiritual power, and by using it is it said to bring spiritual peace.
Genzai glaze is a glaze that is black, which in itself is rare, and bamboo charcoal is used as a special material in the making of it.
Made individually by hand by a skilled artisan potter
Each cup is made by Mr. Kono, a nationally certified first-grade technician, and they are all made by hand. While they make use of traditional techniques, they are pieces that are made to fit in with a Western modern space.
They are durable and hard to break, and have brilliant heat retention properties!
An unglazed inner surface helps to create creamy bubbles
The inner surface is fired with the intent to have a slightly rough texture. This rough texture helps to encourage the vaporisation of CO2, which means that minute bubbles are created, which leads to a creamier bubble.
When used for beer, the head of the bear will be so creamy that you would think a master barkeep has pulled the drink, and as you drink beer rings may form on the inner of the cup.
A calm texture and soft to the touch
The cup has been made so that it has a calming texture that is soft to the touch.
Helps to keep your drinks at the perfect temperature
Ceramics have a low thermal conductivity, which means that you can hold it even if you put hot drinks inside, and it means that the drink won’t cool down quickly!
We are also offering Japanese cultural experiences!
■Stay at a Shukubou, or pilgrims’ lodging at a temple
You can experience a stay at a shukubou at Senyuji Temple, and experience O-Henro for yourself.
Article credit: Heidi Cohen (https://heidicohen.com/use-blog-to-sell/)