Susogo Kinsai Snake Sakecup

This is a new *Susogo* gold-leaf snake cup by Koji Nakahara, who studied under Fumio Kawabata and aims to create works that suit modern life. The craftsmanship of a snake—a motif that is both simple and often avoided—truly tests an artist's skills, yet Nakahara has expressed the snake in a truly intriguing way with a unique finish reminiscent of ancient Egyptian ritual vessels. Perhaps thanks to the slenderness of the snake itself and the simple, minimalist design of the cup, it is surprisingly lightweight and easy to use for a large decorative cup. The entire piece is finished with a beautiful gold glazing known as *Susogo* (gradated gold), creating an exquisite color palette between the silvery-shining surfaces and areas that have transformed into deep black. The overall texture is slightly rough, which, combined with the mysterious, faintly shimmering surface, perfectly matches the three-headed snake design. Given its shape and design, it would also be interesting to use as a holder for an aroma candle. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 7.3cm x 7.2cm x Height 10.0cm Koji Nakahara was born in Osaka Prefecture in 1978. He graduated from the Advanced Course at Nara College of Arts in 2000 and the Bizen Ceramic Center in 2001. That same year, he began his apprenticeship under Fumio Kawabata, and in 2007, he joined the Kaneshige Ritoen pottery. Since then, he has been actively exhibiting his work at the Japan Traditional Kogei Exhibition and various public competitions. He is currently an associate member of the Japan Kōgei Association.