Blue porcelain cup Masao Tagai

Width: 8.8cm x 8.8cm Height: 3.5cm

This celadon sake cup was created by Masao Tagai. It features a shallow, lotus-like shape, and its wide rim catches the light reflected on the surface of the sake softly, creating a cool and elegant look.

The pale blue hue of the rain-filled sky <br data-end="527" data-start="524">The pale blue color achieved through reduction firing has a moist transparency reminiscent of the Ru kilns of the Northern Song Dynasty. When exposed to light, a pale gradation is created, and the halo reflected in the center of the inside adds to the appearance of a mirror-like surface.

Mirror-like texture and reduced crazing <br data-end="634" data-start="631">The expansion rates of the base and glaze are precisely matched to minimize crazing. This results in a smooth mouthfeel, allowing you to enjoy the sake without it altering its quality.

Controlling the thickness of the glaze <br data-end="711" data-start="708">By applying a slightly thicker glaze in the center and a thinner glaze around the rim, a pale, translucent blue layer is created, giving the vessel a sense of depth.

History <br>Celadon cups originated as sake vessels favored by Chinese literati of the Song dynasty, and were prized in Japan from the Kamakura period onwards as Chinese goods brought over by Zen monks. With the spread of tea ceremony culture in the Momoyama period, they came to be regarded as "vessels that bring coolness" and were used in summer tea ceremonies over a brazier. This piece is designed to harmonize with modern aesthetic sensibilities while taking into account that context.

This work, "Celadon Sake Cup," evokes a sense of openness through its shallow bowl shape . Its refreshing taste is created by the moistness of the blue sky after the rain . The thin, iron-wrapped rim imparts a quiet tension. These elements resonate in exquisite balance, bringing a fresh sense of serenity to any space, whether it's a sake ceremony, tea ceremony, or formal occasion. We hope you will treasure this microcosm, a condensed expression of Masao Tagai's sophisticated technique and profound aesthetic sense, for many years to come.

A conversation with Masao Tagai