Kenzan's bamboo-painted sake cup by Kosai Miyagawa

Height: 7.5cm Width: 6.5cm

A conversation with Kosai Miyagawa

The work "Kenzan's Kumazasanoe Sake Cup by Miyagawa Kosai" is a delicate yet powerfully beautiful sake cup created by Miyagawa Kosai, and beautifully expresses the beauty of traditional Japanese culture and nature. The cool bamboo leaves depicted in the center of this work provide a visual sensation of coolness, especially in the summer. Its appeal is not only in its visual beauty, but also in the texture and feel of the traditional techniques and materials used. Here, we will delve deeper into the appeal of this sake cup and take a closer look at the aesthetic sense and historical background that are embodied in the work.

1. The bamboo leaf design and its symbolism

The bamboo leaf design on this sake cup is a motif deeply rooted in Japanese culture. Bamboo has been one of the plants that symbolize the seasons and climate of Japan since ancient times, and has been loved as an element that brings a sense of coolness, especially in the summer. It frequently appears in Japanese poetry and paintings, and its refreshing feeling and delicate beauty bring peace and tranquility to the viewer. The bamboo leaves depicted in this work are also expressed in minute detail, as if they were cut from real leaves that live in nature. The curves of the veins and tips of the leaves give a sense of natural strength and transience at the same time, instantly evoking the viewer's imagination of the four seasons and landscapes of Japan. Bamboo also plays a role in easing the heat of summer, as the sight and sound of it swaying in the wind gives a sense of coolness, and by picking it up and enjoying a sake, you can enjoy the coolness visually as well.

2. Kenzan's Copy and the Influence of Ogata Kenzan

Another important element is that, as the term "Kenzan copy" indicates, it faithfully reproduces the style of Ogata Kenzan . Ogata Kenzan was a master of Kyoto ware active during the Edo period, and his style was strongly influenced by his brother, Ogata Korin. Korin was a representative artist of the Rinpa school, known for his gorgeous decorative patterns and bold designs, and Kenzan incorporated Korin's influence into his ceramic art, breathing new life into the world of pottery.

Kenzan's style is characterized by bold and free designs , and simple yet refined beauty. He used many motifs based on nature, and built his own unique worldview with simplified designs and skillful use of color. In particular, Kenzan's plum blossom and floral designs beautifully combine the splendor of the Rinpa school with pottery. This "Kenzan Copy Bear Bamboo-E Sake Cup," created by Miyagawa Kosai, is a work that inherits Kenzan's style while adding a new interpretation and modern sensibility. Kenzan's free expression and bold designs are embodied in the bamboo leaf motif, truly conveying Kenzan's spirit to the present day.

3. The beauty and technique of straw ash glaze

Another important element is the use of straw ash glaze , a glaze handed down through generations of the Miyagawa Kosai family. Straw ash glaze is a type of glaze made from ashes from burnt straw, and gives the surface of the vessel a soft, warm luster. This glaze was also used by Nonomura Ninsei, the founder of Kyoto ware, and the Miyagawa Kosai family in particular has treasured and protected this technique for a long time.

This straw ash glaze gives the vessel a mellow milky sheen, adding a certain elegance and warmth to it. It is characterized by a soft bluish color, and depending on the clay used, it can also have a slight reddish hue or a cool pale color. This change in color is like the transition of a natural landscape, and it has the appeal of revealing a new expression every time you pick it up. Furthermore, as the glaze changes little by little over the years of use, gaining more depth, it is a piece that can be shared with the user over a long period of time.

4. The Miyagawa family and the history of Makuzu ware

The Miyagawa Kosai family has a history of 330 years as the head of the Makkuzu ware family. The origins of Makkuzu ware date back to the Jokyo era of the Edo period, when Yukan Miyagawa Kobee Masakazu left Omi Province (present-day Shiga Prefecture) for Kyoto and began making pottery in front of the Chion-in Temple. Since then, Makkuzu ware has been passed down through the generations of the Miyagawa family, with various techniques and aesthetic sensibilities being passed down from era to era.

Makuzu ware in particular is known for encompassing the traditional techniques of Kyoto ware, and one of the techniques that the Miyagawa family is particularly proud of is the straw ash glaze . This glaze gives the vessels a unique texture and is an important element that symbolizes the identity of Makuzu ware. The Miyagawa family is also skilled in the production of tea ceremony utensils and sencha tea ceremony utensils, and their works are highly regarded both in Japan and overseas. Makuzu ware pieces are included in international collections such as the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) and the Permanent Mission of Japan to UNESCO (Paris), and their fame is spreading not only in Japan but also widely overseas.

5. The marriage of sake and tableware

Its perfection as a sake tasting vessel is extremely high, further enhancing the flavor of the sake. The depth and capacity of the sake cup can accommodate sake at various temperatures, such as cold sake or lukewarm sake, and its shape fits comfortably in the hand, providing a comfortable drinking experience. In addition, by holding this sake cup with its bamboo leaf design, the clear flavor of the sake stands out even more, and you can enjoy your sake while feeling a visual coolness. This is a piece that offers a cultural experience that goes beyond its function as a sake cup. This work is not just a practical item, but a piece that evokes the beauty of nature and traditional Japanese culture. With its delicate design, the use of traditional straw ash glaze, and the long history and techniques of the Miyagawa Kosai family, this sake cup is not just a vessel for drinking sake, but can also be said to be a medium for experiencing Japanese aesthetics and seasonal feeling. By holding this vessel, you will be able to gain a deep understanding and empathy for Japan's four seasons, nature, and traditional culture.