The phrase ごらいこうをおがむ (goraikō o ogamu) in Japanese means “reverently contemplating the sunrise from a mountaintop.” The warm orange rim of the cup, which blends smoothly into a pale warm white, inspired the name of this Kintsugi teacup.


The original shards were rejoined using the traditional hon-kintsugi method with urushi lacquer and glue made from glutinous rice or wheat flour. The cracks on the outside were painted over with urushi lacquer, embellished with Japanese hirofun gold leaf, and then polished.


This teacup comes from the wood-fired kiln of ceramicist Ales Dancak from the Czech Republic. Ales Dancak primarily produces tea ceramics from stoneware and porcelain, mixing his own ash glazes. Dancak's style is characterized by its purist design language combined with minimal decoration. Firing usually takes place at around 1300°C in a wood-fired kiln, but less frequently in an electric kiln.


This handcrafted piece is part of a series of objects created in collaboration with Tee Kontor Kiel, in which broken ceramic and porcelain items are given a new life through the Kintsugi technique.


You can find more information about broken ware in my blog articles “Broken Ware – The First Trace of a Life Journey” and “From Broken Ware to Kintsugi Treasures: A Journey Through Ceramics.”