Setoguro Sake Cup

This Setoguro (black Seto) sake cup is the work of Tomio Ochi, who diligently worked the kiln under the tutelage of Anjin Abe, pouring his insatiable passion into his ceramics. This is a new take on the Setoguro sake cup from Ochi, featuring the delicate yet bold craftsmanship reminiscent of a tea bowl, with a well-balanced, deep, ink-like black finish achieved through the hikidashi (drawn-out) technique. The rich black glaze, upon closer inspection, contains extremely fine particles that shimmer like faint stars, creating a truly cosmic-colored glaze. While exceptionally large for a sake cup, its dignified form—like a compact Setoguro tea bowl—successfully counters the tendency of black glaze to obscure the "lines" of a vessel, thanks to the sharp, powerful, and edgy craftsmanship of the foot. Signed wooden box to be provided later (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 7.4cm × Diameter 7.0cm × Height 6.7cm Tomio Ochi graduated from Ehime Prefectural Niihama Technical High School in 1949. In 1952, he moved to Tokyo to study oil painting and sculpture. Thereafter, he pursued painting and sculpture while working at a company. In 1997, he visited Anjin Abe in Ushimado, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, to receive his guidance. He built his own kiln in Ushimado in 1998, and has since been working on Bizen ware, leveraging his experience in sculpture and painting.