Hisatoshi Iwata (1925–1994) was an unparalleled master who elevated Japanese contemporary glass craft to a global standard, transforming it from mere practical tools into pure art. This piece is a unique masterpiece, deeply personal and filled with affection, created in his final years—just about a year before his passing—when his artistic maturity had reached its zenith.
Behind the overwhelming presence of this sake cup lies a special story: it was designed to celebrate a miraculous moment when three major longevity milestones coincided for a specific individual—Hakuju (99th birthday), a Golden Wedding Anniversary (50 years of marriage), and Kiju (77th birthday). To express these three forms of "shuku" (celebration), Hisatoshi specially designed this piece using three colors: the pure white symbolizing Hakuju, the luxurious gold telling of the half-century bond of the Golden Wedding Anniversary, and the red conveying the vitality of Kiju, thereby encapsulating Japanese culture and history within this small vessel.
The reason Hisatoshi Iwata's work is internationally acclaimed is due to his exceptional sense of color and the vitality of the material itself, brought out by the "sora-fuki" (free-blowing) technique, which involves shaping the glass in the air without a mold. In this work, the expression created by the fine gold particles and the diagonal red flowing patterns is powerful, as if capturing flames and passion, and the beautiful tapering form towards the base fits surprisingly comfortably in the hand.
Having served as the founding president of the Japan Glass Art Association and received the Minister of Education Award at Nitten and the Japan Art Academy Prize, Hisatoshi reigned supreme in the postwar Japanese craft world. Now that new supplies have ceased, his posthumous works are cultural heritages that are extremely difficult to obtain. This sake cup, carefully passed down along with its original wooden box (tomobako) bearing his signature and seal, is a crystallization of the "Japanese beauty" he pursued until the end. It will continue to exude a unique presence, whether used as a vessel for special occasions or kept as a lifelong collection.
Please experience for yourself the texture of authentic hand-blown glass from the Hisatoshi Iwata Glass Studio, and the artist's "breath" residing in the exquisite dimensions of approximately 5.8 cm in diameter and 9.4 cm in height.
- Produced by: Hisatoshi Iwata Glass Studio
- Artist: Hisatoshi Iwata
- Notable Activities: [1976] Minister of Education Award at Nitten; [1982] Japan Art Academy Prize Production Period: Circa 1992–1993 (estimated)
- Public Collections: The National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo, The National Museum of Modern Art, Kyoto, Hokkaido Museum of Modern Art, The Japan Art Academy, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, The Corning Museum of Glass, New York, Museum Kunstpalast, Düsseldorf, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris, and others.
- Condition: Very good (no chips or cracks)
- Accessories: Original box included
- Material: Hand-blown glass
- Dimensions: Diameter 5.8 cm (Opening 5.0 cm), Height 9.4 cm
- Please note: Even if the products we offer are brand new and unused, they are vintage items from an older production period and are listed as second-hand. Items may show signs of age-related wear. Please review the details carefully before purchasing.
