Set of 2 hand-blown glass sake cups with a deep Jin pattern, made by Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内, Jin), in red and gold. #102

This hand-blown glass sake cup was created by Sakata Jinnai (Jin), a leading Japanese ceramic artist who has pioneered a unique artistic world across a wide range of fields, including spatial design and glass craft. The most distinctive feature of this work is its highly artistic design, which combines the artist's signature "Shinjin" pattern with vibrant red. The base features a delicately painted, flowing pattern reminiscent of waves and clouds, crafted in gold on passionate red glass. This pattern goes beyond mere decoration and can be said to visualize the invisible energy and fundamental flow of life. The artist's signature, "Jin," is proudly inscribed in gold on the base, confirming its value as a unique piece.

The craftsmanship of the piece requires hand-blown glass, which requires advanced craftsmanship. Of particular note is the beauty of the "cracked glass" applied to the cup. Created by rapidly cooling high-temperature glass and then reheating it, these delicate, mesh-like cracks refract light in complex ways, creating a jewel-like sparkle when an amber-colored drink is poured into the piece. The contrasting structure of the smoothly curved cup and the powerful, substantial base embodies Jinnai's unique aesthetic, combining the opposing elements of delicacy and strength in a single vessel.

Sakata Jinnai's creative philosophy is to "convey the intangible spirit through tangible objects." In this glass, too, the slight fluctuations and randomness of each crack, which are unique to hand-blown glass, give the impression of the "pulsation of life" that cannot be found in mass-produced products.

The period of production is thought to date from the 2000s onwards, when Jinnai first applied the "red and gold" technique Sakata had developed in ceramics to glass art, becoming established as a highly acclaimed artist both in Japan and overseas. This glass cup, with its overwhelming presence that transforms an everyday moment into a special ritual, is a truly supreme work of art that invites the user into the "abyss of beauty" that the artist pursues.

• Artist: Sakata Jinnai (坂田甚内, 1943–)
• The artist's notable activities include: [ 2009] Invited artist at the 1st Shanghai International Ceramic Living Art Expo; [2013] Donated a large magatama plate with deep-patterned gold leaf and leaf glass, "The Radiance of Life," to the Izumo Taisha Grand Shrine Heisei Grand Shrine Relocation; [2013] Donated a large black porcelain plate with deep-patterned gold leaf and leaf, "Homage to the Sun," to coincide with the Ise Grand Shrine Shikinen Sengu; [ 2014] Donated a deep-patterned gold leaf and leaf glass objet d'art, "Yamanei," to Atsuta Shrine; [2014] Donated a pair of black porcelain engraved gold leaf and leaf boxes, "Longevity," to Kameoka Hachiman Shrine (Mashiko Town).
• Production year: 2000s (estimated)
• Condition: Very good (no chips or cracks)
• Accessories: None
• Material: Glass
• Dimensions: height 9.5cm, diameter 5.5cm
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