Bizen Black Sake Cup

This Bizen black sake cup is the work of Masao Akitani, who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works overflowing with his own unique originality amidst a fresh spirit. Its peculiar design, resembling a bitter melon or a drawstring bag, is strangely captivating, as if it might expand if blown into. As one of the largest sizes available for a sake cup, it is even spacious enough to hold small ice cubes. The intense *goma* (ash glaze) that suits this large-scale form has created jumbo-sized *tamadare* (drip marks), making it a delight to both look at and touch. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Dimensions: 7.7cm x 7.7cm x 7.7cm (height, including drip marks) Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after a ten-year apprenticeship, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln firing in 2009. His work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s Tea Ceremony Form Exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chūgoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Award.