Gold-painted tea set "Suzaku"

This is a new gold-embellished tea vessel, "Suzaku," by Toru Ichikawa, who made a striking debut after studying under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. It is an exceptionally creative work, characteristic of Ichikawa, who gives shape to his incessantly overflowing ideas through the supreme medium of clay. Part of the new "Kagutsuchi" tea vessel series, this bold latest work was inspired by Hinokagutsuchi, the god of fire in Japanese mythology. Recalling the myth of Hinokagutsuchi, said to have been born while scorching the body of his mother, Izanami-no-Mikoto, the piece features an intense, "burnt-out" style of kairagi glaze achieved by pushing the shrinkage rate of the glaze to its absolute limit. As the god of fire is also worshipped as the god of metalworking, this work seems to embody Ichikawa's pride in the act of creation through fire, which is the essence of ceramics. Furthermore, by incorporating the "Hagakure" crimson glaze, the piece has been given the alias "Suzaku," with a vibrant crimson glaze applied as if a single ray of light were piercing a golden tea room, creating an incredibly profound impression. Like his mentor Kakurezaki, Ichikawa has employed a highly innovative lidded design, and thanks to his meticulous craftsmanship, the vessel stands as a spectacular piece that functions as a work of three-dimensional art. Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for shipping)
Diameter 7.0cm × Diameter 6.6cm × Height 11.1cm Toru Ichikawa was born in Tokyo. He began his apprenticeship under Ryuichi Kakurezaki in June 2011 and established his own studio in Tamano City, Okayama Prefecture, in January 2015.