23 Iron-painted Kochi Matsushima flat sake cup by Kosai Miyagawa

Height: 3.0cm Width: 9.5cm

"Iron-painted Kochi Matsushima Flat Sake Cup" is an elegant piece of work that depicts the beautiful scenery of Matsushima using the traditional iron-painting technique of Miyagawa Kosai. When sake is poured into this flat sake cup, the way it looks like the waves are swaying is truly beautiful, and naturally reminds the viewer of the calm sea of ​​Matsushima. The numerous islands floating in Matsushima Bay and their quiet waves are depicted with a powerful touch of iron painting, making this a work that combines Kyoto pottery and Japanese nature.

Techniques of iron painting

Iron painting is a technique in which patterns are painted using a pigment containing iron. This pigment has been used since ancient times as it can be collected from a wide area. The pigment is also called oni-ita or mizuuchi, and became popular in China with the development of porcelain. This technique is one of the most universal painting techniques, and is attractive for its strength and simplicity, as it produces black and brown colors through the oxidation of iron. The "Iron Painting Kochi Matsushima Hirasaka" depicts the scenery of Matsushima using this technique, symbolically expressing the natural beauty of the sea and islands.

Kochi and Kyoyaki

The word "Koshi" refers to the area around present-day Vietnam, and was given this name by the dynasty of mainland China. Koshi ware was favored by tea masters and developed into one of the important techniques in Kyoto ware. Miyagawa Kosai's "Iron-e Koshi Matsushima Hirasaka" also inherits this tradition, and is a work that truly represents the pinnacle of art, combining the vivid colors and intricate painting that are characteristic of Koshi with the profound feeling of iron painting.

The symbolism and charm of Matsushima

Matsushima refers to the 260 or so islands scattered around Matsushima Bay in Miyagi Prefecture. Its beautiful scenery is counted as one of the Three Most Scenic Spots of Japan and has fascinated people since ancient times. Matsushima Bay was formed by crustal movement and rising sea levels at the end of the ice age about 5,000 years ago, and is a miraculous landscape created by nature. The scene of Matsushima depicted on the sake cup depicts a small island floating in the sea and a tranquil natural landscape embraced by the waves, giving you a refreshing feeling as if you were there.

The techniques and history of Makuzu ware

Among Kyoto ware, Makkuzu ware encompasses a particularly wide variety of techniques, and works are made using a variety of traditional techniques, including Ninsei and Kenzan copies, overglaze painting, blue and white porcelain, iron painting, Kochi, and gold lining. Makkuzu ware works, which skillfully combine these techniques, are highly praised for both their color and texture. The "Iron Painted Kochi Matsushima Hirasaka" also uses traditional techniques while possessing a modern beauty, coexisting with the strength of iron painting and the delicate colors of Kochi. The Miyagawa family has a history of pottery spanning more than 330 years, and has been making pottery in Kyoto since around 1680. It all began when the first generation Miyagawa Kobee Masakazu moved from Sakata County in Omi Province to Kyoto and started a pottery business in front of Chion-in Temple. For generations, the Miyagawa family has been making tea utensils and sencha utensils, creating pottery that meets the needs of the times. Miyagawa Kosai's "Iron-e Kochi Matsushima Hirasaka Cup" is a work that embodies the techniques and sensibilities cultivated over a long history.

International Recognition and Outlook

The appeal of Makuzu ware is highly valued not only in Japan, but also overseas, including in the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and China. The "Iron-painted Kochi Matsushima Hirasaka" is a work that combines the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware with the beauty of Japanese scenery, and its beauty is widely known beyond borders. It is the appeal of these works that makes Makuzu ware, which combines the elegance and delicate techniques of Kyoto, so beloved by pottery fans around the world.