Kiyomizu Yaki meoto yunomi set

These cups are 3.5" and 3.25" high x 2.5" in diameter, both are marked on the bottom with a kiln/artist mark. One cup has a label which reads:

"Kiyomizu ware
Kyoto Mokki Cooperative Association"

Just over $10 including shipping, a nice find. Too bad they came with no box/tomobako. Only if I get a very good deal, do I buy unboxed sets of meoto yunomi, though I do not have a set from this kiln. I believe that the decoration is iron oxide. Only decorated on one side and Much more subdued than typical ware of this region, I waffled a bit on this set, but......

Still working on figuring out which kiln made these.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kiyomizu_ware

Possibly the work of Unraku Saito III (Backing off on this guess, but he has a very interesting bio and video)

https://unrakugama.com/en/ (Great video showing how to make a tea cup and tea pot)

https://dimo.vn/unraku-saito-iii-nguoi-doi-moi-do-gom-kyo-yaki.html

Unraku Saito III - Innovator of Kyo yaki pottery Posted: 28/08/2023 | 07:37 Unraku Saito III is the 3rd generation head of the Unrakugama kiln in Kyoto, he is the only surviving member of the 6 artisans who started Kyoto's Kyo yaki/Kiyomizu yaki pottery innovation movement.

1. Unrakugama (Kyoto) Kiyomizu yaki / Kyo yaki pottery is one of the places with the most famous pottery making tradition in Japan. It has a history of 400 years, dating back to the days when Japanese tea ceremony culture flourished. Unrakugama has been at the forefront of the Kiyomizu pottery tradition for the past 130 years. The current head of the shop, the 3rd generation Unraku Saito artisan, is one of the few craftsmen in the industry to be officially recognized by the Japanese government for his art. The Unrakugama kiln is almost the only one currently in Kyoto that is still produced using the traditional method of 100% turntables, without molding.

Mr. Saito is now 95 years old but still very active as a young man. As the only surviving member of the six young craftsmen who started the innovation movement in Kiyomizu pottery, he has only taken two days off work in the past 30 years. He said: "I don't have any hobbies. I was just fascinated with Kiyomizu pottery. I start my own work time at 10 p.m. until 2 a.m. I love that time frame because I can focus on what I really love and explore the limitless possibilities of Kiyomizu pottery."

2. Unraku Saito III.
1928 Born in Gojo-zaka, Kyoto
1946 Begins apprenticeship of his father, Unraku Saito II
1950 Becomes an independent potter in Gojo-zaka and is named Unraku Saito III
1963 Successfully carried out a research project on high-temperature firing of ceramics in electric furnaces
1965 Development of original green yeast (aomatto) and red yeast (akamatto) brands.
1968 Moved to Kiyomizu-yaki Ceramic Complex
1977 Received the title of Traditional Craftsman
1989 Won Kyoto's Outstanding Service in Traditional Industries Award