Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by the master craftsman Mitsuaki Hihata (Kokenjin), who was born in Bizen and contributed significantly to the region both as a researcher and an artist, leaving behind numerous accomplishments. It is a uniquely shaped piece known as a "masu-sake-nomi" (square sake cup), designed to be sipped from the corner by narrowing the lips. Each side is designed with mysterious patterns that appear to emerge, reminiscent of ancient ruins or wall paintings. The piece is fired to a crisp, and it is adorned with intense kiln transformation (yohen) that resembles coral on the seabed. The wall-painting-like design and the intense kiln transformation make it feel like a miniature underwater ruin. This is a Bizen sake cup by the master craftsman Mitsuaki Hihata (Kokenjin), who was born in Bizen and contributed significantly to the region both as a researcher and an artist, leaving behind numerous accomplishments. It is a uniquely shaped piece known as a "masu-sake-nomi" (square sake cup), designed to be sipped from the corner by narrowing the lips. Each side is designed with mysterious patterns that appear to emerge, reminiscent of ancient ruins or wall paintings. The piece is fired to a crisp, and it is adorned with intense kiln transformation (yohen) that resembles coral on the seabed. The wall-painting-like design and the intense kiln transformation make it feel like a miniature underwater ruin. Original signed box (Nihōzan style)
Diameter 5.8cm × 5.7cm × Height 5.2cm Mitsuaki Hihata was a prominent figure from the family of the chief priest of Amatsu Shrine, the tutelary deity of the pottery town in Imbe, Bizen City. He was renowned both as a Bizen ware artist and a local historian specializing in Bizen ware, with authored works including the "History of Imbe Town," "History of Bizen Ware," and "Appreciation of Bizen Ware." Alongside his historical research, he began visiting famous artists in his spare time around 1960 to hone his pottery techniques, eventually entering the world of ceramics by inheriting his ancestral "Amatsu Kiln." In 1968, during his tenure as director of the Bizen City Community Center, he received a commendation from the Minister of Education for his outstanding achievements and had the honor of being granted an audience with the Emperor at the Imperial Palace. In 1970, he retired from his position as director to dedicate himself to pottery. That same year, he received the Okayama Prefecture Educational and Cultural Merit Award. In 1975, after being selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition four times, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. He began researching gold-leaf decoration in 1979, and in 1980, he presented a gold-leaf tea bowl to Ise Jingu Shrine. He received the Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Cultural Award in 1985 and a commendation from the Prefectural Governor as an outstanding technician in 1988, while also contributing greatly to the development of culture and education as the chairman of the Bizen City Cultural Property Protection Committee. He passed away in 2002.