Hikidashi Guinomi

This is a "hikidashi" (drawn-out) sake cup by Masao Akitani, an artist who studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki and creates works brimming with his own unique originality while embracing a fresh sensibility. In this piece, he has applied a white glaze in addition to his signature "hikidashi-guro" (drawn-out black) technique; the novel white glaze serves as a stunning accent against the delicate landscape of the drawn-out black surface. Around the base, the vivid cobalt blue transmutation—a highlight of the hikidashi-guro technique—has emerged, and the fantastical scenery of the gradient from green to cobalt blue is a sight one could gaze at forever. Inside the cup, the "goma" (ash glaze) that pooled during firing has crystallized, and having been rendered translucent by the hikidashi technique, it appears as beautiful as amber. The form, designed with skillful spatula cuts, is not only visually intriguing but also creates variations in height across the surface, bringing out the shading of the black slip. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 6.1cm × 5.9cm × Height 6.1cm Masao Akitani was born in Saitama in 1968. He studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki starting in 1998, and after a 10-year apprenticeship, he built his kiln in Bizen and became independent in 2008. He held his first kiln opening in 2009. His work has been selected for exhibitions such as the Tanabe Art Museum's "Chanoyu no Zokei" (Forms of Tea) exhibition and the Japan Kōgei Association Chugoku Branch exhibition, and he has received awards including the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition Prize and the Encouragement Prize.