White glaze silver brushed sake cup by Okada Yu

Width: 10.1cm Height: 5.3cm

White glaze silver brushed sake cup

-- Created by Masaru Okada --

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Work summary

This is a white glaze silver brushed sake cup made by Okada Masaru, who has a kiln in Uji Tanzan, Kyoto. The silver-gray brushed marks run diagonally across the soft white porcelain surface, symbolizing the contrast between stillness and movement. The balance between the linear body, resembling an upside-down mortar, and the lightly carved foot is excellent, making this an ambitious piece that combines a modern sense of form with the wabi-sabi of tea ware.

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Glaze and technique

White glaze composition : Made mainly from feldspar and silica with a small amount of titanium oxide added, it achieves a slightly warm milky white color.

Silver brush marks : Silver engraving, a mixture of silver oxide and clay, is brushed onto a leather-hard surface. After firing, the color changes from light gray to light brown, and takes on a slight metallic sheen depending on how the light hits it.

Firing control : By adjusting the amount of oxygen towards the end of the process and keeping the silver part slightly oxidized, we achieve a soft silver color that stands out against the clean white.

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Historical and cultural background

Brushwork decoration is a traditional technique seen in white porcelain from the Yi Dynasty and Kohiki ware from the early Edo period, but by using silver veneer, it is possible to express both a modern luster and a sense of wabi-sabi. Masaru Okada has applied his knowledge of material control cultivated through his research into the kiln transformation of Tenmoku glazes to present his own unique aesthetic of "movement in the margins" by fusing the serenity of white with the dynamism of silver.

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Aesthetic intent and spirituality

The silver brush marks are reminiscent of lightning and flowing water, imprinting momentary movement on the still white porcelain. The essence of this work is that it visualizes the Zen proposition of "eternalizing a moment" through a single brushstroke. When sake is poured into the cup, the surface of the liquid reflects the trajectory of the brush marks, and as the drinker drinks, patterns appear and disappear - these changes enhance the emotion of "a once-in-a-lifetime encounter."

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How to use and points to note

Suitable for ginjo and daiginjo : The wide shape brings out the delicate aroma.

Light source effect : The brush marks are soft in natural light, and the silver gray reflects brightly under spotlights.

Can also be used as a serving dish : It also looks great as a small bowl for delicacies and sweets, adding a modern accent to your table setting.

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This sake cup, which captures the silence of white and the flash of silver in one cup, embodies the "beauty of white space" and "momentary movement" advocated by Masaru Okada. We hope you will savor the momentary beauty of the sake and light in your palm and soak in the deep aftertaste.