Ibe Black Sake Cup

This is an Ibe-guro (black Ibe-ware) sake cup by Kenji Takenaka, who transitioned from jewelry design to ceramics and studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. The blue kiln transformation within the yellow sesame glaze, achieved through meticulously calculated firing, is truly magnificent. The smooth, lustrous surface created by a special slip coating resembles a gemstone, befitting Takenaka’s background as a jeweler despite it being Bizen ware. The interior features well-melted amber-colored sesame glaze, which pairs perfectly with the subtly carbonized, dull-glowing surface. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 7.5cm × Diameter 6.4cm × Height 6.0cm Kenji Takenaka was captivated by the medium of clay and transitioned into ceramics from a career in jewelry design. After completing his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1986, he served as an instructor there for two years. He began his apprenticeship under Jun Isezaki in 1988 and became independent in 1994. In addition to traditional tea ceremony ware, sake vessels, tableware, and flower vases, he also creates avant-garde pieces. Utilizing oxidation and reduction firing in an anagama kiln, he demonstrates a diverse range of expressions through changes in red, white, and black coloration and the texture of the clay. He has received awards such as the Okayama Mayor’s Prize at the Prefectural Exhibition and the Sanyo Shimbun Prize at the Japan Traditional Crafts Branch Exhibition, and has been selected for numerous other exhibitions. He has held solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Okayama, Kurashiki, and elsewhere.