Hikidashi-guro Guinomi

This is a "hikidashi-guro" (drawn-out black) sake cup by Masao Akiya, an artist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works full of unique originality while embracing a fresh spirit. Created using a wild technique in which the piece is pulled from the front stoke-hole during firing and rapidly cooled, the natural glaze and clay texture undergo a transformative change on a whole new level. A greenish, transparent natural glaze is visible across the entire surface, complemented by gray and silver kiln-transmutation effects in various areas, making it a piece one never tires of viewing. The ash-covered areas, which have transformed to look like lead, are particularly impressive, possessing a powerful black-silver coloration truly worthy of the art of fire. Signed wooden box (two-way braced)
Diameter 6.4cm × Diameter 6.4cm × Height 6.0cm Masao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki from 1998, and after a ten-year apprenticeship, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln opening in 2009. He has been selected for exhibitions such as the Tanabe Museum of Art’s "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prefectural Award and Incentive Award.