Celadon sake cup by Masao Tagai

Width: 6.2cm x 6.2cm Height: 6.5cm

Celadon sake cup by Masao Tagai

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1. Overview of the work

This small sake cup is completely enveloped in a pale rain-blue glaze. The potter's wheel-turned base is lightly crushed with hands and twisted with the fingertips to create soft lines and curves reminiscent of flowing water. The rim sways on all four sides, and the glaze is kept thin, setting off a silver-gray iron rim that adds a sombre outline to the tranquil blue world. Three small feet at the bottom raise it slightly above the table, creating the effect of the shadows lifting the vessel lightly.

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2. Shape and design

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3. Technical features

Glaze design
The "reduction removal" process reduces the amount of iron powder and switches to oxidation after high-temperature reduction, resulting in a clear blue color with no reddish tinge. A slight milky opacity remains in the glaze layer, giving it a sense of depth.

Crazing and iron spots <br data-start="624" data-end="627">By making the expansion coefficients of the clay and glaze similar, large cracks are suppressed. At the same time, fine ice cracks and iron spots appear in the glaze pools in the recesses, adding an accent to the scenery.

Mirror Finish <br data-start="700" data-end="703">The surface of the glaze is re-melted using a low-temperature reduction finishing process, resulting in a moist luster and soft reflection.

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4. Use as a sake cup

Temperature retention : The thick glaze and floating foot structure create an air layer, keeping cold sake cool and hot sake at a comfortable temperature.

Mouthfeel : The wavy rim gives the lips a multifaceted feel, allowing the sake to flow smoothly onto the tongue.

Grip : The curves and unevenness of the body provide fingerholds, making it easy to hold steadily.

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5. Historical and cultural background

The tripod design has its origins in the "Ding" and "Jue" bronzes of the Shang period, and has been considered a symbol of holiness and stability. In Japan, it has been copied as a play on wabi since the Momoyama tea ceremony, and a trend of expressing a sense of life has been created by adding "breaking" to the neat world of celadon. While drawing on that lineage, this work has been reinterpreted with a minimalist size and soft shape that stands out in modern drinking parties.

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6. Points to note when viewing

Flickering Light<br data-start="1129" data-end="1132">When light shines from an angle on it, the unevenness is reflected like the surface of water, and the gradation of the blue glaze changes from moment to moment.

The aged beauty of the iron rim <br data-start="1188" data-end="1191">The silver-gray rim will develop a black luster the more it is used, deepening the contrast with the pale blue.

Shadow of the Floating Legs <br data-start="1243" data-end="1246">The shadow cast by the three-pointed legs makes the vessel appear to be floating in the air, emphasizing its light and airy presence.

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7. Conclusion

Masao Tagai's "Celadon Sake Cup" is a "scenery in the palm of your hand" that harmonizes the serenity of the clear blue, the movement of the potter's wheel , and the lightness created by the three legs. The expression of the surface of the cup changes with each sip, and the process of the haze under the glaze deepening over the years overlaps with the memory of the sake and weaves a rich story. Please use it for a long time and enjoy the changing of the celadon with seasonal sake.