{"product_id":"308","title":"Kutani Ware Kaga Daishoji Akae Saibyou Master Shukei Tani - Akae Saibyou Kinsai Dragon Sake Cup Pair - The True Essence of Ginshu Takeuchi's Lineage, Microscopic One-Stroke Painting, Cloud Dragon Motif, A Supreme Treasure of Japanese Ceramic History #308","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"21\"\u003eThis is an exceptionally rare and highly dignified pair of Kutani Akae Saibyou Kinsai (microscopic red painting with gold highlights) sake cups (Sake-nomi), complete with their original signed wooden box (Tomobako), meticulously crafted by Shukei Tani (1888-1959, real name: Masaki), an eminent artisan native to Daishoji, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Shukei Tani studied directly under the two historic titans of ceramic art: Ginshu Takeuchi, a legendary Meiji-era master of Kutani red painting, and his third son, Roshu Hirosawa, who was widely acclaimed as the absolute historical pinnacle of Daishoji fine red painting. Tani’s works purely inherit the legitimate and orthodox lineage of this fine red style. Conveying the true essence of Daishoji artistry to the modern era, Shukei Tani’s creations are incredibly rare masterpieces with virtually no historical documentation available in Western art markets or general antique venues. Shukei consistently maintained an uncompromising creative ethos that thoroughly rejected the facile imitation of historical classics, instead refining manual artistry to the absolute limit. Consequently, his work is profoundly revered within the fine art community as a monumental presence that conclusively certifies the authenticity of the Daishoji Akae Saibyou lineage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"22\"\u003eThe paramount achievement and definitive hallmark of Shukei Tani’s ceramic art lies in his absolute mastery of the Kutani aka-e saibyou technique of \"Sogaki\" (comprehensive full-surface drawing), a method of total surface embellishment where the entirety of the porcelain is completely covered in microscopic red lines, deliberately leaving no negative space or blank areas. Utilizing an incredibly fine liner brush dipped in a specialized iron silicate pigment termed \"Bankou,\" his brushwork proceeds with mathematical precision, achieving an astonishing level of structural uniformity that exhibits no tremor or variation in line thickness even when examined under high magnification. On the outer walls of this matching pair of sake cups, this superlative technique is fully realized. Dynamic, undulating cloud dragons and swirling auspicious vapours seamlessly wrap around the gentle, three-dimensional curves of the porcelain vessel with mesmerizing density. Furthermore, opulent gold leaf (Kinsai) is strategically and beautifully layered over the dragon’s whiskers, dorsal fins, and the contours of the clouds, imparting an overwhelming splendor and a rich, tactile three-dimensional texture to the monochrome red base linework. The foot of each cup is similarly encircled by a dense geometric band rendered in pure gold leaf, reflecting an absolute refusal to compromise on decorative perfection down to the smallest millimeter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"23\"\u003eAn additional, extraordinary highlight of this work is that the absolute aesthetic discipline of Daishoji Akae is rigorously applied not only to the exterior but thoroughly into the innermost depths of the vessel. At the center bottom of the interior (Mikomi) lies a delicately bordered circular window, within which a regal phoenix (Ho-o) gracefully spreading its sprawling tail feathers in full flight is vividly and dynamically rendered in red enamel and brilliant gold leaf. Furthermore, a fine comb pattern (Kushime-mon)—consisting of perfectly parallel, hair-thin vertical red lines—encircles the inner rim of the mouth, ensuring that a flawless decorative universe unfolds from every conceivable viewing angle. Inside the foot ring, the four characters reading \"Kutani Shukei\" are cleanly hand-painted in red enamel by the master’s own hand, standing as definitive proof of authenticity. The lid of the accompanying dedicated wooden box (Tomobako) bears the elegant ink inscription \"Kutani Aka-e Sakazuki Ni\" (Two Kutani Aka-e Sake Cups), while the reverse side of the lid features the formal signature \"Shukei-zo\" accompanied by his authentic red vermilion seal, unequivocally establishing that this set was born from Shukei Tani's direct hand and has been reverently preserved as a pristine heirloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"24\"\u003eThe specialized process required to merge traditional microscopic red linework with multiple layers of gold leaf represents one of the most technologically daunting undertakings in the history of Japanese traditional crafts. If the volume of enamel held by the brush, the exact structural pressure of the hand, and a perfectly steady, uniform drawing speed—akin to holding one's breath—are not continuously maintained, the interlocking, microscopic patterns will instantly collapse. Moreover, because the red iron enamel and the gold leaf require vastly different optimal temperatures inside the kiln to develop their ideal color radiance, the porcelain must undergo a treacherous multi-stage firing regimen within the overglaze kiln after the initial bisque and main glaze firings. This ultra-high-difficulty discipline carries an immense failure rate, where a single moment of temperature deviation can cause the red pigment to vaporize or the porcelain core to fracture. Because it is physically impossible to mass-produce or streamline this structural creation, each cup represents a unique, one-of-a-kind universe requiring weeks of absolute concentration. Surviving the turbulent eras of the late Meiji, Taisho, and Showa periods to remain intact as a flawless, undamaged pair complete with its original inscribed Tomobako box is a true miracle of historical preservation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"25\"\u003eOur gallery proudly proposes this pair, steeped in profound art-historical authority and unmatched manual skill, as the ultimate Japanese Kōgei sake vessels (shot glasses) designed to bring peerless elegance to a sophisticated modern lifestyle. Perfectly proportioned to rest naturally within the palm, these vessels are ideally suited to concentrate the complex aromas and deep, rich flavors of vintage sakes, aged spirits, or fine whiskies that have acquired a beautiful amber hue over decades of maturation. Accompanied by the moving poem transcribed upon the vintage wrapping paper, which captures the transient beauty of dew and the impermanence of existence, the vivid red linework and majestic gold ornamentation glisten brilliantly when filled with a fine spirit. This transforms a quiet evening drink into a luxurious immersion into a three-dimensional masterpiece of classic Japanese art—an unparalleled modern heirloom.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"28\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist: \u003c\/strong\u003eShukei Tani (Birth Name: Masaki Tani, 1888-1959)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"29\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist's Notable Career History: \u003c\/strong\u003eActive primarily in Daishoji, Kaga City, Ishikawa Prefecture from the late Meiji to the mid-Showa period, mastering and perfecting the legitimate, orthodox techniques of Daishoji Aka-e Saibyou under the renowned red-painting masters Ginshu Takeuchi and Roshu Hirosawa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"30\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction Period:\u003c\/strong\u003e Taisho to early Showa era (Pre-war period, approx. 1920s–early 1930s)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"31\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition: \u003c\/strong\u003eVery good (no chips, no cracks)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"32\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessories: \u003c\/strong\u003eDedicated Tomobako (original signed and sealed wooden box), original historic wrapping paper (with transcription and translations included)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"33\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Porcelain (fine red painting, gold decoration)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"34\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003eHeight approx. 4.8 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 5.0 cm (Internal dimension)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"35\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: \u003c\/strong\u003ePlease note that all products offered by our store, even if brand new and unused, originate from a historic production period and are strictly listed as antique\/used fine art items. Vintage products may exhibit subtle age-related characteristics; please consider purchasing upon full understanding and confirmation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Antique Liquor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48055748133051,"sku":null,"price":155000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/0510\/8923\/files\/IMG_8774_result.jpg?v=1783738886","url":"https:\/\/antiqueliquor1926.com\/en\/products\/308","provider":"Antique Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}