This is an extremely rare hand-blown glass sake cup by the master Jinnai Sakata (born 1943), who studied under Shoji Kamoda, the legendary ceramist who elevated Mashiko ware to the realm of art, and pioneered a unique fusion of pottery and glass. This piece exemplifies the pinnacle of Sakata's intense exploration of the fusion of pottery and glass and decorative expression from the 1990s to the 2000s, condensing his representative sculptural philosophy.
The most significant design feature of this work is the sophisticated fusion of the Shinjinmon (Deeply Subtle Pattern), which is the artist's identity, and the Hakuha-hari technique, which encapsulates gold leaf within the glass. Shinjinmon originally refers to deep and mystical patterns created in pottery by rope patterns or imprints. In this work, however, it is redefined as a multi-layered and profound visual effect through the intricate crazing intentionally applied to the transparent glass layer, the meticulously placed gold leaf in the cracks, and the emerald-like green luminescence that changes with the viewing angle. This green luminescence is a result of advanced coloring techniques that utilize specific metal oxides and light interference, giving it a jewel-like depth that transcends simple coloring.
A notable sculptural aspect is the swing structure, achieved by making the bottom thick and round, allowing it to sway like a roly-poly toy without ever toppling over. This minimalist form, devoid of a stem or base, combines a substantial weight when held with a playful elegance as it sways gently on a table. This design, which imparts a fluctuation and stability reminiscent of pottery to the hard material of glass, requires perfect control of the center of gravity and precise thickness adjustment unique to hand-blowing, demonstrating the artist's exceptional molding technique.
Jinnai Sakata's works, as evidenced by their dedication to Japan's highest sacred sites such as Ise Grand Shrine, Izumo Grand Shrine, and Atsuta Jingu, are highly regarded as art pieces imbued with divinity and spirituality that transcend mere craft. The decorative exuberance born from the clash between his earthy sensibility as a ceramist and the transparent beauty of glass is a unique aesthetic not found in dedicated glass artists. This supreme piece, bearing the authentic handwritten signatures Jin and Jinnai, elevates evening drinks to a dignified ritual and offers the joy of owning a significant fragment of Japan's modern craft history.
- Artist: Jinnai Sakata (1943–Present)
- Artist's Major Activities: [2009] Invited artist at the 1st Shanghai International Ceramic Art Exhibition; [2013] Donated Shinjinmon Hakuha-hari Magatama Large Plate "Brilliance of Life" for the Great Heisei Relocation of Izumo Grand Shrine; [2013] Donated Black Pottery Shinjinmon Foil-Pressed Large Plate "Homage to the Sun" for the Shikinen Sengu of Ise Grand Shrine; [2014] Donated Shinjinmon Foil-Glass Object "Waannei" to Atsuta Jingu; [2014] Donated a pair of Black Pottery Engraved Shinjinmon Foil-Pressed Ceramic Boxes "Longevity" to Kameoka Hachimangu (Mashiko Town).
- Production Period: 1990s–2000s
- Condition: Very good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: None
- Material: Glass, Gold leaf
- Dimensions: Height approx. 6.5 cm, Rim diameter approx. 6.0 cm
- Note: All products offered by our store, even if unused, are from very old production periods and are listed as used items. Products may have age-related damage, so please understand and confirm before considering a purchase.
