Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by the world-renowned master Zenji Urakami, a holder of intangible cultural properties who was honored with numerous awards. As a work from his earlier period, it possesses a distinct charm in its pottery mark and design compared to his later years. The base is slightly thick, which, combined with the wide foot and the weight of the piece, gives it a low center of gravity. Silver sand used during firing remains in the interior, creating a rich, dark brown landscape on the surface. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Diameter 6.8cm × Diameter 6.8cm × Height 4.6cm Zenji Urakami (1914–2006) was born in Imbe and began his career in ceramics under Shunko Nishimura. In 1935, he became a student of Japan Art Academy member Seibo Kitamura, where he studied sculpture. He also studied wood carving under Shin Naito and drawing under Saburo Okada and Sakujiro Okubo. He excelled at creating life-like animal figurines, bronze statues, and ceramic murals based on realism. His major works include a ceramic mural at Okayama Airport, a ceramic plaque of Grandmaster Oyama at the Kurashiki City Art Museum, a bronze bust of Toyo Kaneshige at the Bizen Pottery Museum, and a ceramic statue of Kojima Takanori in Tsuyama City. In 1973, his cow figurine won a gold medal at the Le Salon 300th Anniversary Exhibition. That same year, he was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property. He passed away in March 2006.
Awards: Recipient of the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, France’s Chagall Honorary Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette, Grand Prize at the Salon de Paris exhibition, and many others / Member of the Prefectural Exhibition judging committee