Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by the world-renowned and highly decorated Intangible Cultural Property holder, Zenji Urakami. The piece features a somewhat thick, substantial build, incorporating many of the master's signature design elements, such as the *kodai* (foot) and *dojime* (waist constriction). In particular, the *dojime* allows for a comfortable grip, making the cup stable to hold despite its weighted construction. The bright clay body is accented with scattered *goma* (ash glaze) and *sangiri* (fire-reduction firing) effects, creating a unique aesthetic that is instantly recognizable as the work of Urakami. (Please note that while there is no staining, the waist and the entire interior show signs of significant wear.) Original signed wooden box (with two-sided slats)
Diameter 6.5cm × Diameter 6.3cm × Height 4.8cm Zenji Urakami (1914–2006) was born in Imbe and began his path in ceramics under the tutelage of 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 the ceramic wall at Okayama Airport, the ceramic plaque of Grandmaster Oyama at the Kurashiki City Art Museum, the bronze bust of Toyo Kaneshige at the Bizen Pottery Museum, and the ceramic statue of Kojima Takanori in Tsuyama City. In 1973, his ox figurine won a gold medal at the Le Salon tricentennial exhibition. That same year, he was designated a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property. He passed away in March 2006.
Awards: Recipient of the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, France-Chagall Honorary Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th Class, Grand Prix at the Salon de Paris exhibition, among many others / Member of the Prefectural Exhibition judging committee