Gold and Platinum Enameled Kagutsuchi Shuten "Ra"

This is a newly kiln-fired "Ra" Black gold and platinum-glazed Kagutsuchi sake cup by Toru Ichikawa, who made a stunning debut after studying under Ryuichi Kakurezaki. In this work, the artist further evolves the intense *kairagi* (crackle glaze) of his Kagutsuchi series—named after Hinokagu-tsuchi, the fire god of Japanese mythology. He expresses a highly delicate worldview by combining, like a patchwork, a fine-grained type of glaze called *Kagutsuchi-ki* with a smooth, voluminous glaze. A departure from the profound world of fire seen in the Kagutsuchi series, this piece takes on a more avant-garde and artistic expression. The lizard-leather-like black glaze features scales that randomly transform into gold, creating a landscape that possesses both the brilliance and mystery only possible in ceramics. The oil-painting-like, three-dimensional Ra blue glaze also has excellent color saturation, creating a stunning contrast with the black glaze in both texture and tone. Signed paulownia box to be provided later (please allow some time for shipment).
Diameter 6.6cm x Diameter 6.3cm x Height 7.5cm 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.