Bizen Black Sake Cup

This is a Bizen black sake cup by Masao Akiya, an artist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with a unique originality within a new spirit. It is a work that displays a stunning kiln transformation, confirming the great success of his third firing. The yellow sesame glaze is scorched black in some areas, while in others it has blended with the black slip to create a clear light blue, delighting the eyes of anyone who holds it. The rocket-like cylindrical form is stylish, and one can certainly feel the new spirit breathing in the air of the times, as described by Jun Isezaki. The shell marks, placed to prevent the piece from sticking to the kiln shelf, have formed an interesting landscape, appearing as if they were die-cut by the ash. *Please note that a portion of one shell mark is missing; this is not a crack or damage. We kindly ask for your understanding. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Diameter 5.5cm × Diameter 5.4cm × Height 7.3cm Masao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln opening in 2009. His work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards such as the Prefectural Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Prize at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition.