Sake Cup, Gekkahakuyu Nagashi Kinsai, Jurokusei Hayashi Hōsai

Width: 6.3cm×6.1cm Height: 5.2cm

The Rimpa Aesthetic Embodied in an Elegant Sake Cup

The "Sake Cup Gesshakuyu-Nagashi Kinsa" by Mr. Hosai Matsubayashi is a work that beautifully merges elegance with sculptural beauty. Gold accents adorn it, adding graceful brilliance throughout. This golden gleam evokes the Rimpa school of art, particularly Ogata Korin, lending the entire sake cup a sense of splendor and high prestige. The Rimpa aesthetic of "simplicity and ornamentation" is skillfully expressed, allowing viewers to feel the profound history of Japanese art. This sake cup, imbued with Rimpa beauty, offers not only practical utility but also visual delight.

The Beautiful Blue of Gesshaku Glaze Weaving a Mystical Landscape

One of the prominent features of this work is the gesshaku glaze, whose delicate bluish tint is beautiful, creating a fantastical landscape reminiscent of moonlight floating in the night sky. The smooth texture and transparency of the gesshaku glaze give the entire work a refreshing sensation, emitting a quiet charm that makes one want to admire it forever. The unique patterns created by the natural flow of the glaze produce a dynamic beauty, much like a landscape painting, soothing the viewer's heart.

The Exquisite Accent of Gold Decoration

The gold decoration applied to this sake cup is not merely an embellishment; it adds a dynamic element to the work. The luster of the gold stands out in contrast to the pale tones of the gesshaku glaze, functioning as a visual accent while maintaining overall balance. This use of gold decoration exhibits the ornamentation and aesthetic unity found in Rimpa art, imparting a noble atmosphere to the piece.

Fusion of Practicality and Sculptural Beauty

The "Sake Cup Gesshakuyu-Nagashi Kinsa" possesses an elegant and refined aesthetic form while being thoroughly practical. When held, it feels comfortably familiar in the hand, and its natural feel when brought to the mouth is exceptional. The combination of sculptural facets, gold decoration, and gesshaku glaze beautifully achieves both visual beauty and practical functionality. The texture felt with each touch and its sculptural beauty make this sake cup special.

The Aesthetic of "Kirei Sabi" and the Spirit of Tea Culture

This work inherits the tradition of Asahi-yaki by Mr. Hosai Matsubayashi while adding a modern interpretation. It reflects the aesthetic of "kirei sabi" that underlies Asahi-yaki, while pursuing new beauty through a contemporary approach. The style, which follows the aesthetic sense of Kobori Enshu, continues to convey the traditional Japanese aesthetic cultivated in the world of tea ceremony to the present day.

Historical Background of Asahi-yaki and Uji

Asahi-yaki is a pottery kiln in Uji with over 400 years of history, and its historical background breathes life into the "Sake Cup Gesshakuyu-Nagashi Kinsa." The land of Uji once flourished as a villa retreat for aristocrats during the Heian period and appears in Murasaki Shikibu's "The Tale of Genji." Byodo-in Temple stands across the Uji River, and the clay from this land has been used for pottery since ancient times. Asahi-yaki received guidance from Kobori Enshu during the Keicho era and has continued to produce tea ceremony utensils that express Enshu's preferred "kirei sabi." This tradition is deeply ingrained in the works of Mr. Hosai Matsubayashi.

Hosai Matsubayashi XVI: A Fusion of Innovation and Tradition

Hosai Matsubayashi XVI, who assumed the name in 2016, creates works that preserve tradition while incorporating modern sensibilities. Based on traditional Asahi-yaki techniques, his works possess a contemporary feel and are highly regarded worldwide. Mr. Hosai Matsubayashi, who is expanding his activities overseas with exhibitions and tea ceremonies at Leach Pottery in St Ives, UK, and the Musée Guimet in France, creates works that beautifully blend tradition and innovation. The "Sake Cup Gesshakuyu-Nagashi Kinsa" is an elegant yet sculpturally beautiful work by Mr. Hosai Matsubayashi. With gold accents, it possesses both the splendor and serenity that evoke the Rimpa aesthetic. The beautiful blue of the gesshaku glaze creates a calm and eternally admirable landscape that enriches the user's heart. This work is a masterpiece that beautifully fuses the over 400-year history of Asahi-yaki with a modern sensibility, allowing one to feel its profound beauty and historical background with every use.