We are pleased to introduce the Sometsuke Gold Dragonfly Flower Motif Mizuzashi by Maki Yukichi (1916-1998), a master who was the top disciple of Itaya Hazan, the emperor of modern ceramics, and who inherited his master's aesthetics most faithfully with his own unique sensibility. Originally created as a suiteki (water dropper) for calligraphy, Antique Liquor redefines this palm-sized piece as the ultimate water dropper for dramatically opening up the aroma and flavor of high-proof whiskey. Maki Yukichi was a master of the postwar Japanese ceramic world, winning the Special Selection at the Nitten Exhibition in both 1951 and 1953, and later receiving the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure. The elegance radiating from his work stems not only from technical mastery but also from the spiritual depth inherited from his master Hazan, of treating ceramics like jewels.
The highlight of this work is the contrast between the Sometsuke blue, which harbors a deep tranquility, and the Gold Gilt (Kinzai) that shines vividly upon it. First, please observe the floral motif drawn with cobalt and the design of the dragonfly dancing lightly above it. Since ancient times, the dragonfly has been called Katsumushi (victory insect), a lucky motif beloved by samurai and literati for its posture of never retreating. Even in this tiny space, Maki Yukichi used meticulous brushstrokes for each wing of the dragonfly and the center of the flowers, where the Saidei (colored clay) texture inherited from his master is alive. By controlling clay particles to the extreme and discerning subtle differences in firing temperatures, he perfectly achieved the contradictory color design of submerging the Sometsuke blue while making the gold gilt stand out.
Analyzing this work from a technical standpoint, the difficulty of production is incomparable to that of ordinary tea utensils. After the main firing of the Sometsuke, a multi-stage firing process is essential to bake the gold at a lower temperature. For such a small water dropper, the thinness of the walls causes rapid heat transfer, frequently leading to breakage or distortion in the kiln. Furthermore, the sharpness of the spout and the fine-tuning of the water drop volume require high-level forming techniques backed by years of experience. Although Maki Yukichi possessed the academic technical strength to serve as a Nitten judge, he poured the same or even greater meticulous passion into these palm-sized tools as he did into his larger works.
Our gallery proposes this work as a companion for whiskey because of its exceptional tactile quality. The silky, moist porcelain texture pursued by Itaya Hazan is strongly reflected in Maki Yukichi's work. The smooth touch that seems to cling to the fingertips gently stimulates the owner's five senses during the quiet time of savoring the afterglow of aged spirits. When dropping one or two drops of water from this beautiful vessel into the amber liquid, the gold gilt on the vessel reflects the light, casting a glow as if blessing the microcosm within the glass. This elevates the simple act of adding water into a supreme ritual where traditional Japanese beauty and Scottish distilling techniques intersect.
Please confirm in the palm of your hand the life of the artist Maki Yukichi and the pure beauty inherited from Itaya Hazan. As a rare small piece by a master whose works are housed in overseas museums, and as a tool that scientifically and artistically enhances the flavor of whiskey, it will surely become an irreplaceable once-in-a-lifetime treasure for collectors with a true aesthetic eye.
- Author: Maki Yukichi (1916-1998) Representative Career History: Studied under Itaya Hazan, the first ceramic artist to receive the Order of Culture. [1951] Won Special Selection at the 7th Nitten Exhibition, [1953] Won Special Selection at the 9th Nitten Exhibition, [1987] Awarded the Fourth Class Order of the Sacred Treasure. Later served as a Nitten councilor, Nitten member, and chairman of the Ibaraki Prefectural Art Exhibition.
- Museum Collections: The Museum of Modern Art, Ibaraki; Chikusei Municipal Museum of Art (formerly Shimodate Municipal Museum of Art); Itaya Hazan Memorial Museum, etc.
- Production Era: Circa 1980s (Showa to Heisei period)
- Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Original box (tomobako), wrapping cloth, and descriptive leaflet included.
- Material: Porcelain (Saidei and Gold Gilt)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 7.5 cm, Width approx. 9.4 cm x 7.0 cm
- Note: Even if the products provided by our shop are new and unused, they were produced a long time ago and are listed as second-hand items. Please understand and confirm that the products may have damage due to aging before considering a purchase.
