Dyed interdigital wave cup by Kosai Miyagawa

Height: 5.0cm Width: 7.5cm

"Blue and white Kochi Wave Back Sake Cup by Miyagawa Kosai" is a work that reflects the unique aesthetic sense of Japan while utilizing the traditional techniques of Makatsu ware. This cup is characterized by a powerful design with a wave theme, fusing the blue and white and Kochi techniques. The wave design was influenced by Katsushika Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," and is a work of art that combines Japanese nature with the delicacy of ceramic art.

Techniques of blue and white porcelain

Blue and white porcelain is a technique in which pottery is painted with pigments containing cobalt oxide and then fired at high temperatures. It began in China during the Yuan Dynasty and became widespread in Japan during the Edo period. The contrast between blue and white in blue and white porcelain is deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics, and this sake cup reflects that tradition. The cobalt blue stands out vividly, expressing the strength and grace of the waves.

Koushi ware techniques

On the other hand, Koshi ware is a ceramic technique that uses vibrant colored glazes, and is especially prized as tea ceremony utensils. In this cup, the colorful Koshi ware technique is used to express the waves, creating a beautiful scene of blue, white, and subtle cracks. The three-dimensional decoration created by the Koshi ware technique is so powerful that it creates the illusion that the waves are about to start moving.

Miyagawa Kosai and the tradition of Makuzu ware

Miyagawa Kosai, who made this cup, is known as a master craftsman of Makkuzu ware. The history of Makkuzu ware dates back to the Edo period, and the craftsman gained fame for producing tea utensils and sencha tea utensils. The Miyagawa family has a long tradition and has continued to pass on the techniques of Makkuzu ware to the present day. The first Miyagawa Kosai was the founder of Makkuzu ware, and the tradition has been protected by the Miyagawa family to this day. Miyagawa Kosai, the seventh generation, has also inherited this tradition while demonstrating his own unique creativity.

Relationship with "The Great Wave off Kanagawa"

The design of this sake cup depicts Katsushika Hokusai's famous ukiyo-e print, " Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa ." The movement and force of the waves dominate the entire work, expressing both the strength and beauty of nature. The dramatic composition and detailed depiction of the waves seen in Hokusai's work are vividly depicted on the surface of the sake cup.

Value as a tea ceremony utensil

This cup is highly valued in the world of tea ceremony. It has an exquisite balance between practicality and artistry. At tea ceremonies, it is important to feel the beauty of nature, and the wave design of this cup is an important element in enhancing that aesthetic sense. The "Sometsuke Kochi Namiura Cup Miyagawa Kosai" is a masterpiece that evokes the techniques of Makuzu ware, the fusion of sometsuke and Kochi, and a homage to Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Its powerful wave design gives the viewer a sense of the grandeur of nature, while also being highly valued as a beautiful work of art executed with delicate techniques.