Blue porcelain cup Masao Tagai

Width: 6.8cm x 6.8cm Height: 4.7cm

Work summary

This work is a **Celadon Sake Cup** by Masao Tagai. Although it is a small cup that fits gently in the palm of your hand, its appearance embodies the charm of fresh celadon and the beauty of its neat form. It is a masterpiece that combines versatility and elegance, and is suitable not only for sake ceremonies, but also as a cup for incense and as a decorative cup at tea ceremonies.

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molding

Hemispherical with pedestal <br data-end="197" data-start="194">The cup has a slightly bulging hemispherical body, which is smoothly rounded from the rim and converges into a pedestal, creating a neat silhouette. The slightly taut rim makes it comfortable to drink from, while the pedestal, which is narrowed at the base, tightens the overall look, achieving a balance between lightness and stability as a sake cup.

Iron wrapping around the edges <br data-end="327" data-start="324">A small amount of iron colours the rim and foot, and the lines of **light brown and dark iron** give it a tightening effect. It's a quiet accent that brings out the delicate tones of the celadon.

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Glaze tone

The glaze is a highly transparent celadon glaze whose color develops under reduction firing. By skillfully controlling the iron powder , we have achieved a moist blue color reminiscent of the Ru kilns of the Northern Song Dynasty - the so-called "blue after the rain."

Luster and Fluctuation <br data-end="548" data-start="545">There is a slight fluctuation in the thickness of the glaze beneath the transparent layer, and a soft gradation appears depending on how the light hits it. The appearance of a calm water surface residing on the surface of the vessel is the result of the exquisite balance between firing temperature and cooling speed that Tagai has pursued for many years.

Mirror-like finish with reduced crazing <br data-end="677" data-start="674">By precisely matching the thermal expansion coefficients of the base and glaze, crazing is minimized, highlighting the mirror-like smoothness that is characteristic of celadon. It has a very soft mouthfeel, enhancing the flavor of sake without compromising it.

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Uses and enjoyment

As a sake vessel , the capacity of a guitou is perfect for slowly sipping a small amount of chilled sake. The cool color of the celadon also visually enhances the clear quality of sake, such as ginjo sake or unpasteurized sake, which is only available in the summer.

It is also useful as a decorative sake cup to add a touch of elegance to occasions such as the opening of the hearth and the Shichijishiki ceremony. The purity of the celadon reflects the colors of the flowers and hangings in the tokonoma alcove, bringing an air of tranquility to the entire venue.

Interior Object <br data-end="997" data-start="994">The glazed surface softly reflects light, and simply placing it on a shelf in your study or living room will remind you of a small waterscape, adding a quiet moisture to your everyday space.

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Historical background

Celadon originated in the Yuezhou kilns of China and was refined at the "Five Great Kilns" of Ru, Guan, Ge, Ding and Jun during the Northern Song Dynasty. Celadon cups developed against the backdrop of the rise of literati tastes and alcohol culture in the Song Dynasty, and in Japan they were prized by Zen monks and tea masters from the Kamakura period onwards. During the Momoyama period, due to the trend towards Chinese goods, "celadon cups" were also used as tea utensils, and came to link the two pleasures of tea and alcohol. This work takes into account that context, while achieving a neat form and transparency that suits modern sensibilities.

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Artist profile and technique

Masao Tagai is a ceramic artist based in Osaka, who advocates "celadon rooted in modern life." By using a unique technique that combines fine ventilation holes in the furnace with digital temperature control and a long period of slow cooling to even out the glaze layer, he has succeeded in achieving both transparency and depth in a pale blue color.