Kenzan's Sake Cup with a Picture of Shiba Hydrangea by Kousai Miyagawa

Height: 7.5cm Width: 6.5cm

A conversation with Kosai Miyagawa

"Kenzan copy of Shibayohana no E sake cup by Miyagawa Kosai" is a beautiful piece that combines traditional Kyoto ware techniques with a delicate depiction of the unique flower motif of Shibayohana. This sake cup is valued as a work of art that goes beyond its function as a sake cup and allows you to enjoy its pictorial beauty.

The appeal of Shiba Yoka's paintings

The Japanese hydrangea is a flower familiar to the Japanese landscape, and its elegance and profoundness are part of its charm. The picture of the Japanese hydrangea painted on this sake cup has the following special charm.

1. Vitality and Change

One of the most distinctive features of the Japanese hydrangea is that its color changes depending on the acidity of the soil. With a variety of hues, including blue, purple, and pink, this flower has come to symbolize vitality and change. In the paintings of Japanese hydrangeas, the rich changes in color evoke emotions and images in the viewer. In this work, too, the delicate colors of the flower are exquisitely depicted, conveying the strength and transience of life.

2. The atmosphere of the rainy season

Shiba Hydrangea is known as a flower that blooms in full glory during the rainy season. The beauty of the moist petals wet with rain and the water droplets that collect on the leaves evokes the atmosphere unique to the rainy season. This natural state is also expressed in the Shiba Hydrangea depicted in Miyagawa Kosai's work, which is quiet yet strongly conveys the change of seasons. The viewer is reminded of the scenery of the Japanese rainy season and feels the beauty of the harmony between rain and flowers.

3. Japanese Atmosphere

The Japanese hydrangea has occupied an important place in traditional Japanese gardens and landscapes. For this reason, this flower has a special place in the hearts of Japanese people. The painting of the Japanese hydrangea on this sake cup is reminiscent of Japanese gardens and scenes after rain that have been loved since ancient times, and allows the viewer to feel the deep emotion of Japanese culture.

4. Modest beauty

Although the petals of the Japanese hydrangea are small and modest, when they grow in clusters they give off a magnificent beauty. This modest charm resonates with the hearts of Japanese people and leaves a deep impression on viewers. Although not flashy, the flower's beauty increases when you take the time to appreciate it, and it is truly a flower that gives you the feeling of "beauty in tranquility."

Shibayouka and its other names

The Japanese hydrangea is also known by other names such as "Seven Changes" and "Eight Immortal Flower" because the color of the flower often changes. Due to the diversity of colors, it is rooted in Japanese culture as a flower that carries various emotions and symbols. In this work, the colorful Japanese hydrangea is depicted, and the changing colors give the whole work movement and depth.

Function and beauty as a sake cup

This "Kenzan Copy Shibayohana-no-e Sake Cup" is also comfortable to use as a sake cup, being slightly larger than a sake cup and featuring a shape that fits comfortably in the hand. The lightness and pleasant feel of the cup not only give satisfaction to the viewer, but also provide the sensory pleasure of drinking sake while enjoying the painted image.

Kenzan's copy and Miyagawa Kosai's techniques

"Kenzan Copy" is a work that inherits the style of Ogata Kenzan, who was active in the Edo period, but adds its own unique interpretation. Kenzan's style is characterized by a bold yet simple and refined beauty, and Kenzan's techniques are skillfully incorporated. Kenzan's style, which was influenced by his brother Ogata Korin, often features floral motifs that incorporate the gorgeousness of the Rinpa school. The painting of Shiba Hydrangea is one such example, and expresses a simple yet profound beauty.

The Miyagawa family's straw ash glaze and the tradition of Makuzu ware

The Miyagawa Kosai family has used straw ash glaze for generations, which gives their pieces a distinctive soft and warm texture. The straw ash glaze has a white or bluish hue and gives the entire piece a plump appearance, the beauty of which is particularly evident in this piece. This glaze is a traditional technique used by Nonomura Ninsei, and plays a particularly important role in Makuzu ware.

Makuzu ware is a pottery technique used by the Miyagawa family since the Edo period, and their works are highly acclaimed both in Japan and overseas. Pieces depicting delicate motifs such as the Japanese hydrangea are the culmination of the Miyagawa family's techniques and aesthetic sense, and have been loved for generations.

In this way, this is an extremely sophisticated piece that expresses the depth of Japanese culture and the beauty of nature. It allows the viewer to feel the Japanese atmosphere and the changing seasons, and at the same time, it can be enjoyed as a piece of utensils for everyday use, making it an extremely appealing piece.