Bizen Yunomi

This is a new Bizen tea cup by Masao Akiya, who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with unique originality within a modern spirit. It is crafted using the *shinogi* (fluted) technique inherited from his mentor, Jun Isezaki, with a form that pursues a fascinating and impressive three-dimensional aesthetic. The evenly spaced, uniform-depth spatula marks overlap like the pleats of a folding fan; beyond the three-dimensional interest, the act of carving with the spatula allows one to directly enjoy the rustic texture of the clay itself. At the same time, the rim is finely tapered, showing careful consideration for ease of use. The texture, characteristic of an *anagama* kiln with a scarlet clay body and white highlights, along with the dynamic *tobigoma* (splashed sesame) glaze, suits his stylish artistic approach perfectly. Paper box
Diameter 7.8cm x 7.7cm x Height 9.2cm

*Shipping fee of 500 yen applies. Masao Akiya was born in Saitama in 1968. He began his apprenticeship under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki in 1998, and after ten years of training, he built his own kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln firing in 2009. His work has been selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s "Forms of Tea" 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 Prize.