Ash-glazed sake cup by Masashi Nishibata

Width: 8.0cm Depth: 7.6cm Height: 5.6cm

Ash-glazed sake cup by Tadashi Nishibata

- A sake cup depicting a tranquil scene of ash and flames

This piece, "Ash Glazed Sake Cup" by Nishibata Tadashi, is a masterpiece made of red clay from Tanba and natural glaze created by long firing, which creates a landscape like a landscape painting on the surface of the vessel. The presence of the earth and nature is condensed in a small vessel that fits in the palm of your hand.

Ash glaze brings beauty and richness

On the surface of the vessel, wood ash naturally falls and melts, creating a soft, flowing glaze. Some parts of the cloudy, pale blue glaze are slightly transparent, blending with the red clay underneath to create a dreamlike landscape. Where the glaze has gathered, it catches the light and shows a soft luster, giving the vessel a moist, moist appearance.

Contrast between the clay and the glaze

The red clay of Tanba, fired at high temperatures, has a matte texture in the unglazed areas, and is fired to a soft finish, resulting in a calm reddish brown color. On the other hand, where the glaze has flowed, a glossy finish is layered over the uneven texture, creating various shadows depending on the viewing angle. The clay and glaze each have a harmonious yet antagonistic appearance, giving each piece its unique appeal.

Beauty that changes in your hands

The shape of the vessels takes advantage of the natural distortion that follows the movement of the fingers, and the wavy edges and slight unevenness stimulate the senses of those who pick them up. Although small, they have a strong presence and feel firm in the palm of your hand. Vessels that change appearance every time they are used bring quiet joy to your daily life.

A personality carved by flame and time

This sake cup was carefully fired by Nishibata in a wood-fired kiln, and the glaze scenery was born from a series of coincidences, such as the movement of the flames, the accumulation of ash, and the placement of the vessel. The greatest appeal of this vessel is the "controlled coincidence" that was derived from a certain sculptural ability and aesthetic sense, while restraining the deliberateness and entrusting to nature.

This "Ash-glazed Sake Cup" combines the spirituality of tea ceremony pottery with the familiarity of a tool for everyday use. Please enjoy the tranquility and savory beauty brought about by the interplay of earth, glaze, and fire in your own time.