Discover, Acquire, Enjoy – The Excellent Sake Ware was released by Abe Publishing Ltd. in January 2026. The quarterly journal Honoho Geijutsu or The Art of Fire was first published in 1982. As a specialized ceramics journal, it features introductions to artists’ works, insights into their creative processes, and explorations of ceramic history. Once a year, the journal publishes a special issue focusing on a specific theme.

This year’s theme, sake ware, is cherished not only for its practical role in enjoying sake but also for its strong aesthetic appeal. This issue features a wide range of sake ware – such as sake cups and servers – created by celebrated ceramic artists, organized into two sections: “Notable sake ware by contemporary artists” and “Masterpiece sake ware by master craftsmen.”

“Notable sake ware by contemporary artists” introduces some of today’s most prominent living artists, while “Masterpiece sake ware by master craftsmen” presents outstanding works by masters of the Showa era, including figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji. The vivid photographs capture fine details of each piece, and the thoughtful commentary allows readers to appreciate the charm and character of the works more deeply. The special feature, “The pleasure of sake ware,” offers an engaging exploration of sake ware from multiple perspectives. It highlights a Japanese restaurant that serves sake in vessels crafted by ceramic artists, alongside its cuisine, and also explores the relationships between ceramic artists and collectors. At the end of the volume, the “Nationwide gallery guide” provides information on galleries that handle the featured works. It also serves as an invitation to visit these spaces in person to view the pieces and, perhaps, consider acquiring them.

We hope you will pick up this book and immerse yourself in the evolving charm of sake ware, revealed through its many diverse expressions.

■ List of featured artists
“Notable sake ware by contemporary artists”
Takahiro Kato, Makoto Yamaguchi, Reiji Omori, Shintaro Uchimura, Sawako Kobayashi, Kaoruko Yura, Chiharu Hayasuke, Aiko Watanabe, Katsunori Sawa, Yu Nishioka, Ryotaro Kato, Shinbe Sakakura XVI, Ikkei Sakakura, Sadamitsu Genkaku Sugimoto, Dohei Fujinoki, Shogo Ikeda, Takao Kawasaki, Kiyokazu Kato, Hosai Matsubayashi XVI, Masao Tagai, Sei Ishido, Akiko Momota, Raizan Yasunaga, Kazuyuki Suizu, Hiroshi Goseki, Keiko Tahara, Ryoko Suzuki, Keiseki Yoshimi, Fuminori Fukami, Hakuaki, Togaku Mori, Takashi Tanimoto, Yuho Kaneshige, Ryuichi Kakurezaki, Takeshi Imaizumi, Q Tani, Noriyuki Furutani, Hiroyumi Suzuki, Masafumi Onishi, Yu Sugimoto, Tori Yoshino, Kazuhiro Fukushima

“Masterpiece sake ware by master craftsmen”
Rosanjin Kitaoji, Mineo Okabe, Fujio Koyama, Shoji Kamoda, Toyo Kaneshige, Kanjiro Kawai, Seimei Tsuji, Toyozo Arakawa, Sozan Kaneshige, Kojyu Nishioka, Tokuro Kato, Munemaro Ishiguro, Kyuwa Miwa, Jusetsu Miwa, Kazuo Yagi, Osamu Suzuki, Michiaki Kaneshige, Shoan Komori, Yasokichi Tokuda I, Taroemon Nakazato XII, Kaiji Tsukamoto, Shoji Hamada, Tatsuzo Shimaoka, Issei Ezaki, Chikusyun Kawase II, Koichi Tamura, Kose Matsui, Koheiji Miura, Uichi Shimizu

■ General information
Discover, Acquire, Enjoy – The Excellent Sake Ware
A4 magazine size, 180 pages
Publisher: Abe Publishing Ltd.
Website: https://www.abepublishing.co.jp