Hikidashi Guinomi

This is a *hikidashi-guro* (pulled black) sake cup by Masao Akiya, who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with unique originality amidst a new spirit. The rapid cooling from the *hikidashi* process has created stunning gradations in the wrinkles and carving marks that would normally be hidden by *goma* (ash glaze). The translucent black surface has a bluish tint, and the gradation from black to dark blue is like a gemstone. The natural glaze pooled thickly in the interior resembles a black jewel, and together with the glaze covering the entire piece, it vividly conveys the state of the *goma* during firing, which is usually impossible to see. Signed wooden box (*shiho-san*)
Diameter 7.9cm × Diameter 7.5cm × Height 6.6cm Masao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968. He began studying under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki in 1998, and after ten years of training, he built his kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln firing in 2009. He has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s "Forms of Tea" exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch exhibition, and has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Award.