Black Grail

This is the latest black cup from the kiln of Masao Akiya, a potter who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates pieces brimming with unique originality amidst a new spirit. This piece is a resized version of the various sake cups developed by Mr. Akiya, scaled up to be used as a beer or shochu cup while retaining the original design. The avant-garde design suits the larger form remarkably well and pairs perfectly with the chic, deeply lustrous black firing. The design, color, and firing are brilliantly unified under a single theme, resulting in a piece typical of the Isezaki school that would even complement contemporary architecture.

View the blog post by Kawaguchi Tourakuen Signed box to follow (please allow some time for shipping)
Diameter 8.9cm x Diameter 8.8cm x Height 9.6cm Masao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968. He began his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki in 1998, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became an independent potter in 2008. He held his first kiln opening in 2009. His work has been selected for the Tanabe Art Museum Tea Ceremony Sculpture Exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Award.