R432 Shuten Blue

This is the new R432 Sake Cup (Blue) by Toru Ichikawa, who made a striking debut after studying under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. While one is immediately drawn to his highly original and avant-garde designs, holding the piece in your hands reveals the immense passion he pours into expressing the beauty of clay as a material. Achieving such beautiful curves and sharp edges requires an exhaustive amount of time and meticulous effort, built on a deep understanding of the nature of clay; it is a work born from forging the material with the singular devotion of a master swordsmith. The unique form evokes a rosebud on the verge of blooming, showcasing a new side of Ichikawa-sensei, who traditionally focuses on wheel-thrown forms, as he wields his spatula with the precision of a woodcarver. The proprietary R432 glaze has transformed into an ultramarine hue, creating a mysterious, complex texture that resembles layers of oil paint. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 6.7cm × Diameter 6.6cm × Height 8.8cm Toru Ichikawa was born in Tokyo. He began his apprenticeship under Ryuichi Kakurezaki in June 2011 and established his own studio in Tamano, Okayama Prefecture, in January 2015.