Aobizen Beer Mug

This is an Ao-Bizen (blue Bizen) beer cup by Mitsuhiro Urakami, the successor to the Intangible Cultural Property holder Zenji Urakami, who continues his work while upholding his master's superb ceramic techniques. He has brilliantly inherited the unique Ao-Bizen style, characterized by the calm gray body and black *tasuki* (cord-mark) patterns for which Zenji Urakami was renowned. The clay body, fired under strong reduction, combined with the black *tasuki*, creates a rich, nuanced coloration with a pleasing sense of depth, resulting in a piece that exudes the charm of earthen pottery amidst its monotone landscape. Because of this, even with its chic appearance, the piece does not feel cold, but rather retains the comforting tactile quality essential to pottery meant to be held in the hands and touched to the lips. Although this is a relatively tall beer cup, it is thinly potted and wheel-thrown with consistent clay thickness, making it light and easy to hold. It can be used freely not only as a beer cup but also as a tea cup or a versatile tumbler. It comes in a paulownia wood box, making it an excellent gift. Signed wooden box (Nihō-san style)
Diameter 8.7cm × Diameter 8.6cm × Height 9.8cm Mitsuhiro Urakami began his apprenticeship under his father-in-law, Zenji Urakami, in 1973, learning the fundamentals from clay preparation to kiln loading and firing. He became independent in 1975. He studies the Urasenke school of tea ceremony and frequently creates tea utensils. Influenced by his father-in-law’s teachings, he also explores the creation of ceramic ornaments. He received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition in 1984 and 1986. He has received awards at the Zento Exhibition, the Chanoyu Molding Exhibition, and the Yakishime Ceramics Open Competition, among others. He has also held joint father-son exhibitions in Hiroshima and Okayama.