Dyed interdigital wave cup by Kosai Miyagawa

Height: 5.0cm Width: 7.5cm

"Sometsuke Koshi Namiura Sake Cup by Miyagawa Kosai" is a work that reflects the unique aesthetic sense of Japan while utilizing the traditional techniques of Makuzu ware. This sake cup is characterized by a powerful design based on a wave theme, combining the techniques of sometsuke and Koshi. The wave design was influenced by Katsushika Hokusai's "Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa," and is a work of art that combines Japanese nature with the delicacy of ceramic art.

Blue and white porcelain techniques

Sometsuke is a technique in which ceramic is painted with pigments containing cobalt oxide and then fired at high temperatures. It began in China during the Yuan Dynasty and became widespread in Japan during the Edo period. The contrast between blue and white in sometsuke is deeply rooted in Japanese aesthetics, and this sake cup reflects that tradition. The vivid cobalt blue expresses the strength and grace of the waves.

Koushi ware techniques

On the other hand, Koshi ware is a ceramic technique that uses vibrant colored glazes, and is especially prized as tea ceremony utensils. In this sake cup, the colorful techniques of Koshi ware are used to depict the waves, creating a beautiful scene woven with blue, white, and subtle cracks. The three-dimensional decoration created by the Koshi ware technique is so powerful that it creates the illusion that the waves are about to move.

Miyagawa Kosai and the tradition of Makuzu ware

Miyagawa Kosai, who made this sake cup, is known as a master craftsman of Makuzu ware. The history of Makuzu ware dates back to the Edo period, when the craftsman gained fame for producing tea ceremony utensils and sencha tea ceremony utensils. The Miyagawa family has a long tradition and has passed down the techniques of Makuzu ware to the present day. The first Miyagawa Kosai was the founder of Makuzu ware, and the tradition has been preserved by the Miyagawa family to this day. Miyagawa Kosai, the seventh generation, has also inherited this tradition while demonstrating his own unique creativity.

Relationship with "Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa"

The design of this sake cup features Katsushika Hokusai's famous ukiyo-e print, " Under the Great Wave off Kanagawa ." The movement and force of the waves dominate the entire piece, expressing both the power and beauty of nature. The dramatic composition and detailed depictions of the waves seen in Hokusai's work are vividly depicted on the surface of the sake cup.

Value as a tea ceremony utensil

This sake cup is highly prized in the world of tea ceremony, striking an exquisite balance between practicality and artistry. Sensing the beauty of nature is important during tea ceremonies, and the wave design of this sake cup is an important element in enhancing that aesthetic. The "Sometsuke Koshi Namiura Sake Cup by Miyagawa Kosai" is a masterpiece that embodies the techniques of Makkuzu ware, the fusion of sometsuke and Koshi porcelain, and a homage to Hokusai's "The Great Wave off Kanagawa." Its powerful wave design evokes the grandeur of nature, while also being highly regarded as a beautiful work of art executed with delicate skill.