{"product_id":"241","title":"Saichi Matsumoto's Kutani Ware Sake Cup\/Shot Glass a product of a recipient of the Japan Fine Arts Exhibition Special Selection and Intangible Cultural Property of Ishikawa Prefecture #241 ","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eThis is an exquisitely modern guinomi sake cup by Saichi Matsumoto (1930-2021), a grand master who twice won special recognition at the Nitten Exhibition and left a significant mark on the history of modern Kutani ware as a holder of Ishikawa Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property. We proudly present this piece, which brilliantly transcends the boundaries of traditional tea ceremony pottery and sake vessels, as a high-end Japanese craft shot glass for slowly enjoying aged sake that has matured into a rich amber color over many years, or premium single malt whisky straight. The refined cylindrical form with a subtle undulation fits comfortably in the hand, and the gently flared rim dramatically enhances the smoothness of the sake's texture. While possessing an overwhelming presence as a work of art, this piece harmonizes perfectly with contemporary luxury spaces and bar settings. It is an extremely rare art piece with very little information circulating overseas, making it a supreme item to welcome special guests or satisfy the discerning eye of an avid collector.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eSaichi Matsumoto, the artist, was born as the fourth generation of the Matsuya kiln, which inherits the lineage of Shoundo, a prestigious Kutani ware kiln established in 1833. While inheriting the bloodline of a highly distinguished pottery family, with his grandfather being Sataro Matsumoto, a leading authority on Kutani ware research, he established a scientific and academic foundation for ceramics in the early post-war period by completing specialized education at an art school and then completing his studies at a national research institution. Not only did he achieve numerous brilliant awards at the Nitten Exhibition, but he was also commissioned to create sake cups as prime minister's gifts during the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, and further, he crafted furnishings for the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, where world leaders are welcomed, making him a legendary master craftsman who bore national honors. He continued to lead the Japanese craft world, and complete pieces with the artist's handwritten box inscription, which circulate in the market, possess high rarity due to no new supply.\u0026nbsp;\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eSaichi Matsumoto's pottery is most highly regarded for his modern craft techniques that break away from the traditional concept of Kutani ware's Gosaie (five-color enamel painting), utilizing gold and silver glazes to create geometric and abstract textures that shine in contemporary spaces. Upon our careful examination of this piece, as you can see in the accompanying images, the sophisticated fusion of gold glaze and colored glaze, which is his hallmark, is expressed with extreme clarity. The entire surface of the vessel is layered with a vivid emerald green glaze over a brilliant gold base, creating a beautiful visual effect where a metallic shimmer appears to well up from within the vessel when illuminated. Furthermore, the sides of the vessel are powerfully adorned with abstracted animal silhouettes reminiscent of ancient frescoes and primitive art, along with geometric lattice patterns, rendered in black overglaze. These perfectly embody the concept of \"Object Kutani\" that he pursued throughout his career.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"14\"\u003eThe artist's signature is carefully inscribed in red pigment on the base (kodai), and on the lid of the dedicated wooden box, which indicates it has been carefully preserved, there is a handwritten inscription by the artist, and on the inside of the lid, there is a signature and a clear red seal, providing complete material evidence of its authenticity. This is a vintage piece from the prime of a grand master whose new supply has completely ceased, a piece with definite asset value that should be passed down to future generations. Please enjoy the supreme beauty of this miraculous fusion of Japanese tradition and modern art in your own hands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"0\"\u003eArtist:\u003c\/b\u003e Saichi Matsumoto (1930-2021)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"37\"\u003eArtist's notable career highlights:\u003c\/b\u003e [1930] Born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, [1950] Graduated from the Ceramics Department of Kanazawa College of Art, [1951] Completed the second term of training at the National Industrial Research Institute of Ceramics, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, [1952] First selected for the 8th Nitten Exhibition, with the exhibited work officially purchased by Tokyo Metropolis, [1972] Crafted \"Sake Cups for the Japan-China Friendship Prime Minister's Gift\" for the normalization of diplomatic relations between Japan and China, [1974] Crafted electric lamps for the State Guest House, Akasaka Palace, [1977] Received special recognition at the 9th Nitten Exhibition (work: Silver Glaze Prayer), [1988] Received special recognition for the second time at the 20th Nitten Exhibition (work: Gold Glaze Flat Jar) and created the large ceramic wall \"Hyakka Ryoran\" at JR Kanazawa Station, [1999] Certified as a holder of Ishikawa Prefecture's Intangible Cultural Property for Kutani ware, [2021] Passed away on November 13 at the age of 91\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1125\"\u003eWorks in collections:\u003c\/b\u003e Tokyo Metropolis, Kanazawa City, local governments, various museums, etc.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1221\"\u003ePeriod of Creation:\u003c\/b\u003e Late 1970s - 1980s (estimated, created during the artist's prime, having received multiple special recognitions at the Nitten Exhibition)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1379\"\u003eProduct Condition:\u003c\/b\u003e Excellent (no chips, no cracks)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1430\"\u003eAccessories:\u003c\/b\u003e Dedicated wooden box, wrapping cloth, artist's profile booklet (shiori) included\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1524\"\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/b\u003e Porcelain (gold and green glaze)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1567\"\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/b\u003e Height approx. 5.7 cm, Rim diameter approx. 4.6 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"15\"\u003e\u003cb data-path-to-node=\"15\" data-index-in-node=\"1630\"\u003eNote:\u003c\/b\u003e Even if the products offered by our shop are unused, they are from a very old production period and are all listed as used items. Products may have age-related damage, so please consider purchasing after understanding and checking.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Antique Liquor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47783616774331,"sku":null,"price":40000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/0510\/8923\/files\/IMG_7693_result.jpg?v=1780832708","url":"https:\/\/antiqueliquor1926.com\/en\/products\/241","provider":"Antique Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}