This is an extremely rare masterpiece of "Manyo Renmen Senkoku" (Cursive Line Engraving of Manyo Poetry) by Ito Sekisui V, who elevated Mumyoi-yaki—a traditional craft of Sado City, Niigata Prefecture—to the realm of fine art and was designated a Living National Treasure in 2003. Mumyoi-yaki is defined by its use of red clay rich in iron oxide, sourced from the vicinity of the Sado Gold Mine. Fired at high temperatures, it becomes as hard as stone despite being pottery and possesses a distinctive metallic resonance. Ito Sekisui is a preeminent Japanese ceramic artist whose works are permanently housed in the world's most prestigious institutions, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
This piece is a rare gem among Ito Sekisui's works, featuring "calligraphy" as its central motif. On the surface of the vessel, five characters—"Aki (Autumn), No (of), No (Field), Ni (in), Hagi (Bush Clover)"—symbolizing a scene from the Man'yoshu (Japan's oldest poetry anthology), are engraved with breathtaking precision using a needle-like tool. This is not merely a sequence of characters, but a recreation in line engraving of "Renmen-tai" calligraphy—the style of connecting characters in a single, flowing stroke. The graceful red lines winding around the vessel visualize the wind blowing through the autumn fields of Sado and the passage of time. This expression, carving the soul of words into red clay with a level of concentration where no correction is possible, represents the pinnacle of delicate, stoic artistry, achievable only through the uniquely fine-grained clay of Mumyoi-yaki.
These five characters encapsulate a universal primordial landscape cherished by the Japanese for over a millennium. Setting itself apart from his more common floral or fruit motifs, the method of connecting a few symbolic characters with a continuous line—rather than engraving the entire text—conveys the artist's minimalist aesthetic and intellectual message. The original wooden box bears the inscriptions "Mumyoi" on the right, "Manyo" in the center, and "Yunomi" (teacup) on the left, proving that the artist himself sealed these fragments of ancient poetry within the vessel. Although originally crafted as a teacup, given the deep red texture and the tactile sensation of the engraved characters on the fingertips, we propose this as a special spirits vessel for enjoying aged koshu or whiskey. Savoring the amber liquid while contemplating the Manyo scene in the palm of your hand offers a blissful moment embodying the Zen and tranquility of traditional Japanese aesthetics.
- Artist: Ito Sekisui V (born 1941)
- Representative Career: Elevated the "Mumyoi-yaki" tradition of Sado Island to an international art form, and was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property for Mumyoi-yaki) in 2003. [1973] Recipient of the Prince Takamatsu Memorial Award at the Japan Traditional Craft Exhibition; [2005] Awarded the Medal with Purple Ribbon; [2011] Awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
- Museum Collections: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo; The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto; The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York); Victoria and Albert Museum (London); Smithsonian Institution; and others.
- Period of Creation: 2000s–2010s (The mature period following his designation as a Living National Treasure). While Sekisui V is famously known for his "Yohen" (kiln transformation) designs, this line-engraving series represents the absolute height of his refined technique in his later years, showcasing a resonance of natural power and silence that transcends human intent.
- Condition: Very good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Original signed wooden box (Tomobako), rice straw packing
- Material: Pottery (Mumyoi-yaki / Sado red clay rich in iron oxide)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 7.1 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 6.7 cm
- Note: Please note that all products provided by our store, even if in unused condition, are from vintage production periods and are listed as used. Items may show minor age-related wear; please confirm the condition before purchasing.
