Sangiri Sake Set
This Bizen ware sake set has a pattern called “sangiri“. The coarse texture, exquisite colors and patterns produced by the kiln’s flames is a remarkable example of Bizen ware, “the art of clay and fire”.
The “san” in sangiri refers to the wall inside the kiln. The work placed on the side of the wall where ash tends to accumulate is covered with ash from the pine wood, and the part of the work not directly exposed to the fire reacts with the ash, turning it grayish brown or blackish brown. 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. The effect has been famous for centuries, and there is even a saying that “second-grade sake becomes first-grade sake when sake is kept in a Bizen ware pot.”
