Ishikawa Intangible Cultural Property, Nitten Special Award Winner Saichi Matsumoto: Gold & Green Glazed Black-Painted Flat Sake Cup, Guinomi, Japanese Shot Glass #317

Crafted by Saichi Matsumoto (1930–2021), a holder of Ishikawa Prefectural Designated Intangible Cultural Property for Kutani Ware and Nitten Special Award winner who was born in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture, in 1930 and passed away at the age of 91 in 2021, this is a hand-painted flat sake cup adorned with gold and green glazes. Inheriting the legacy of the prestigious Matsuya Kiln and graduating from the Department of Ceramics at Kanazawa College of Art as well as the National Ceramic Experimental Station, Saichi Matsumoto broke free from the traditional "five-color" (Gosai) framework of Kutani ware, fusing gold and silver luster with graphic symbolic motifs to establish high acclaim as a leading figure in modern Kutani ceramics. Entrusted with creating the official sake cup gift for the Prime Minister during the normalization of Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations and furnishings for the Akasaka Palace (State Guest House), as well as winning the prestigious Nitten Special Award twice, he was a master who carried national honors. Featuring a shallow, gently flared flat-cup form measuring approximately 3 cm in height and 8 cm in diameter, this piece possesses high practical utility and aesthetic value, not only as a traditional cup for enjoying chilled sake, but also as a vintage shot glass (Japanese sake cup) for quietly savoring amber aged sake or single malt whisky straight.

Observing the details of this piece reveals a sophisticated fusion of Saichi Matsumoto's signature gold luster and translucent glazes, alongside his emblematic graphic design. Within the interior well (mikomi), a translucent, vibrant emerald-green glaze is layered over a brilliant gold leaf base, creating an enchanting visual effect where metallic radiance surges from the bottom of the vessel when struck by light. Rendered over this in black overglaze enamels are galloping four-legged animals, geometric fencing, and abstract motifs reminiscent of trees and birds, executed in fluid, expressive brushwork that constructs a modern aesthetic evoking ancient murals and primitive art. Meanwhile, the exterior walls are coated in a rich, vivid deep-blue glaze, and the unglazed white porcelain within the foot ring clearly displays his hand-painted signature reading "Saichi" in red overglaze, certifying it as an authentic creation.

Regarding the period of production, taking clues from his peak artistic era between his first Nitten Special Award in 1977 ("Ginsai Kiku") and his second Nitten Special Award in 1988 ("Kinsai Henko"), when his style reached full maturity and he was at the height of his creative power as a leader of modern Kutani ware, it is identified as an authentic creation made between the late 1970s and the 1980s (Showa 50s to Showa 60s). The vessel itself has no cracks or chips, maintaining extremely good condition in its gold and green glaze coloration as well as the adherence of the black brushwork. It arrives in complete condition, accompanied by its dedicated Tomobako (wooden box) inscribed with the work's title on the lid and signed with a seal on the underside of the lid by the artist, alongside a wrapping cloth and a biographical brochure.

• Artist: Saichi Matsumoto (1930–2021)
• Artist's Key Activities: [1950] Graduated from the Department of Ceramics at Kanazawa College of Art; [1952] First selected for Nitten (exhibited work purchased by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government); [1972] Commissioned to create the official Prime Minister gift sake cup for the normalization of Sino-Japanese relations; [1974] Commissioned to create furnishings for Akasaka Palace; [1977, 1988] Won the Nitten Special Award; [1999] Designated as a holder of Ishikawa Prefectural Intangible Cultural Property for Kutani Ware
• Main Public Collections: Tokyo Metropolitan Government, Kanazawa City, local governments, art museums, etc.
• Period of Production: Circa late 1970s–1980s (Estimated)
• Condition: Very good (no chips, no cracks) 
• Accessories: None (item only)
• Material: Porcelain (gold & green glaze, black overglaze decoration, painted signature) 
• Dimensions: Height approx. 3.0 cm, Mouth diameter approx. 8.0 cm 
• Caution: All products offered by our shop are pre-owned items due to their historical production period, even if unused. Products may have age-related damage, so please consider purchasing after understanding and verifying these condition details.