Kuro Mugcup

This is a new black mug by Masao Akitani, an artist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and crafts works brimming with his own unique originality amidst a fresh spirit. It is created using the black Bizen technique inherited from his mentor, Jun Isezaki, and features a lovely black hue that is deeply lustrous yet warm to the touch. The mug is made using black clay from Osafune Isogami, which develops its color by being dissolved and applied as a slip; because it is applied this way, the black shade shifts exquisitely depending on the intensity of the flames. This piece displays a smooth sheen across its entire black surface, allowing one to enjoy its deep luster while appreciating a soft texture that feels comfortable in the hand. It reflects Akitani's signature sophisticated yet simple design, with meticulous details found throughout, such as the thin rim and the four-sided handle. Paper box
Diameter (including handle) 10.3cm × Diameter 7.8cm × Height 8.5cm Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after a ten-year apprenticeship, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln firing in 2009. His works have been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art's "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" and the Japan Kōgei Association's Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Award.