Drinking black beer on draft

This is a freshly kiln-fired *hikidashiguro* (drawn-black) beer tumbler by Masao Akitani, a ceramicist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with unique originality amidst a fresh sensibility. Although a beer tumbler is a familiar, everyday object, this piece was commissioned with the intention of making it a truly superb and premium item. Because it was placed in front of the kiln fire to achieve the *hikidashiguro* effect, it has been coated with a tremendous amount of ash, creating a pattern that resembles tiger stripes. The interior features a beautiful gradation from black to gray, and as befits a premium beer tumbler, it offers a perfect landscape for when it is in use. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 8.1cm x Diameter 7.5cm x Height 10.9cm Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. In 1998, he began an apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. After ten years of training, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008, holding 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 Kōgeikai Chūgoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Award.