Bizen sake cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Mitsuhiro Urakami, the successor to Intangible Cultural Property holder Zenji Urakami, who continues the tradition with exceptional pottery skills. It is an original work that uses intense reduction firing to transform the standard white and red fire-cord (hidasuki) patterns into blue-gray and black. The black fire-cord draped over the moist, smooth surface creates an appealing, calm aesthetic reminiscent of an ink wash painting. After being thrown thickly on the potter's wheel, the clay was shaved with a spatula to create a finish that balances sharpness with a sense of gravitas—a style characteristic of the Urakami school. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 7.1 cm, Diameter 7.0 cm, Height 6.0 cm Mitsuhiro Urakami began studying under his father-in-law, Zenji Urakami, in 1973, learning the fundamentals from clay preparation to kiln loading and firing. He established his own studio in 1975. Having studied the Urasenke tea ceremony tradition, he frequently creates tea utensils. Trained by Zenji, he excels in crafting decorative figurines, including those based on the Chinese zodiac. He received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Prefectural Exhibition in 1984 and 1986. He has also been recognized at the All-Japan Ceramics Exhibition, the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition, and the Yakishime Ceramics Competition, among others. Additionally, he has held joint exhibitions with his father in Hiroshima and Okayama.