Bizen Shinjyu Mitsuashi Guinomi

This is a new Bizen mythical beast tripod sake cup by Koji Nakahara, who studied under Fumio Kawabata and aims to create works that suit modern life. It features a unique tripod design reminiscent of an ancient Chinese *ding* (cauldron), with legs crafted in a mysterious motif of a mythical beast. Fully showcasing Nakahara's reliable sculptural skills, the piece has a highly atmospheric quality, as if it were a direct miniature of a *ding*; filling it with sake makes one feel as though they have become a giant. The firing is a Sue ware-style finish achieved through a strong reduction process to suit the style, with the gradated gray tones playing a role in creating the work's unique atmosphere. The overall texture is also coarse, and combined with the mysteriously shimmering surface, it matches perfectly with the ancient Chinese-style design. Signed box (shiho-san)
Diameter 6.7cm x 6.5cm x Height 7.2cm Koji Nakahara was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1978. He graduated from the advanced course of Nara College of Arts in 2000 and from the Bizen Pottery Center in 2001. That same year, he began studying under Fumio Kawabata and joined Kaneshige Ritouen in 2007. Since then, he has actively exhibited his work at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition and various other public exhibitions. He is currently an associate member of the Japan Kōgei Association.