{"product_id":"434","title":"Mashiko Folk Kiln Sakuma Totaro Kiln (佐久間藤太郎窯), Pair of Teacups with Black Base Glaze and Rice-Husk Ash White Glaze Pouring, Pair of Sake Cups, Japanese-Style Liquor Glass Pair Set #434","description":"\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"1\"\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/en\/search?q=%22%E4%BD%90%E4%B9%85%E9%96%93%E8%97%A4%E5%A4%AA%E9%83%8E%22\u0026amp;type=product\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSakuma Totaro\u003c\/a\u003e (佐久間藤太郎, 1900–1976) was a master craftsman who, alongside \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/living-national-treasures\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eLiving National Treasure\u003c\/a\u003e \u003ca href=\"\/en\/search?q=%22%E6%BF%B1%E7%94%B0%E5%BA%84%E5%8F%B8%22\u0026amp;type=product\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eHamada Shoji\u003c\/a\u003e, elevated \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/mashiko-ware\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eMashiko ware\u003c\/a\u003e into everyday functional art within the Mingei (Folk Crafts) movement. This pair of teacups (kumi-yunomi) featuring rice-husk ash white glaze poured over a rich black base glaze was crafted by Mashiko Folk Kiln Sakuma Totaro Kiln (Sakuma Kiln), which has continuously inherited the artist's tradition and high technique. On the reverse side of the lid of the accompanying dedicated wooden box (tomobako), the calligraphy reads \"Mashiko Folk Kiln Sakuma Totaro Kiln\" accompanied by a red seal with \"Ma\" (間), the kiln mark of Sakuma Kiln. Furthermore, the enclosed leaflet titled \"Mashiko, the Village of Pottery\" includes the statement: \"It has already been more than sixty years since Mr. Hamada Shoji came to Mashiko and began creating new works alongside traditional kitchen utensils.\" Based on the inscription on the box and the leaflet text, it can be objectively deduced that this piece was created and distributed between around 1984 and 1988 (late 1970s to 1980s in the Showa era) by the successors and craftsmen of Sakuma Kiln who received the guidance of the first generation, Totaro. As expressed in the leaflet, the strength of work that utilizes local clay and firewood to bring traditional techniques into modern living utensils imparts a sufficient healthiness to the items, displaying the true spirit of Mashiko ware where the clay texture and glaze character grow richer with long use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"2\"\u003eAmong the techniques handed down continuously at Sakuma Kiln, the pouring (uchikake) technique—in which traditional local glazes are combined and ladled over the vessel in a single, fluid motion—is most symbolic of the robust strength of Mashiko ware. Examining the design of this pair, a milk-white rice-husk ash glaze is dynamically poured over a deep, lustrous jet-black base glaze, with every single flow line and splash creating a rhythmic vibrancy reminiscent of abstract painting. The lower part of the body and the area around the foot ring are left unglazed (rotai), exposing the raw clay. The rustic, powerful texture of the iron-rich local Mashiko clay gives the overall form a grounded sense of weight and stability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"3\"\u003eThe interior (mikomi) of the vessels is covered with a soft, yellowish-brown glaze, presenting a warm expression that contrasts sharply with the bold black-and-white exterior. Originally created as a matched pair of teacups (kumi-yunomi), their comfortable dimensions—Large (approx. 7.7 cm diameter, 8.1 cm height) and Small (approx. 7.5 cm diameter, 7.6 cm height)—along with their hand-fitting thickness and cylindrical form gently tapering toward the foot ring, allow them to function perfectly as supreme Japanese-style pair rocks glasses in modern settings. Placing a large ice cube inside and pouring well-aged amber spirits, vintage whisky, or Japanese shochu allows the serene clay texture of the interior to beautifully enhance the color of the drink. This fine pair of vessels is a valuable kiln creation from the late Showa period in which the aesthetics and craftsmanship of Mashiko Mingei pioneered by Sakuma Totaro I bore fruit, allowing one to fully savor Japanese folk craft aesthetics through both touch and sight.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e《Contents of the Included Brochure》 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"4\"\u003eMashiko, Home of Pottery Clay dug from the hills behind and firewood cut from the mountains opposite, the kilns of Mashiko have continued to fire ceramics for more than 130 years. It has unconsciously become more than sixty years since Mr. Hamada Shoji came to Mashiko and created new works in addition to conventional kitchen utensils. While excellent folk kilns preserving tradition remain throughout various regions of Japan, I believe this is perhaps the earliest kiln among folk kilns nationwide to attempt and produce in large quantities flower vases and tableware that bring ancient techniques to life in modern living utensils. The strength of work employing correct techniques with good raw materials and natural fuel imparts a thoroughly healthy quality to the items, further enlivening them by adding the folk art of the local area. As an inevitable result of being blessed with such favorable conditions, the longer they are used, the better the tone of the clay texture and glaze surface becomes, which can be called a rare characteristic in these times. For those who purchase Mashiko ware, we hope you will make daily use of them, as the more they are used, the more their inherent qualities emerge and improve, which can indeed be called the defining feature of Mashiko ware.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e《Words from Living National Treasure, Hamada Shoji》 \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003eLooking at \u003ca href=\"\/en\/collections\/maker-sakuma-totaro\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSakuma Totaro\u003c\/a\u003e's pottery over the past two or three years, his work seems enviably free and enjoyable; whether pouring various glazes over the surface or applying Hakeme (brushed slip) with white slip or colored glazes, it seems that things he wants to do spring up one after another, faster than he can keep up with. Whether good or bad, there is no unnatural strain. Even if he does something curious, unlike taking something from the outside and failing to catch it, he is grasping it from within, so there is always something worthy of attention. Sakuma has certainly struck underground water right beneath his own feet; he needs no priming water. It is said that a potter becomes fully fledged only when his personality begins to show in his work, but in Sakuma's recent work, in addition to that, the local flavor of the land bleeds through strongly, and that point strikes people particularly deep. Sakuma's work has acquired an expansive freedom, like a garden tree growing into a mountain tree. Even though he freely adopts techniques not originally found in traditional Mashiko, the work is filled to the brim with the scent of Mashiko. These days, I am deeply moved by the many things I am learning from Sakuma, and I consider it a great blessing for Mashiko to have gained such a potter after more than thirty years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArtist: \u003c\/strong\u003eMashiko Folk Kiln \u003ca href=\"\/en\/pages\/makers#kiln\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"\u003eSakuma Totaro Kiln\u003c\/a\u003e (佐久間藤太郎窯, Sakuma Kiln)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRepresentative Career Highlights: \u003c\/strong\u003eBorn into a family of Mashiko ware potters. Met Hamada Shoji when Hamada moved to Mashiko in 1924 and became deeply involved in the Mingei movement. Spearheaded the transition of Mashiko ware from traditional kitchen utensils to modern daily ceramics. Designated as a Tochigi Prefecture Designated Intangible Cultural Property Holder in 1972, received the Tochigi Prefecture Cultural Merit Award, and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th Class.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProduction Period: \u003c\/strong\u003ec. 1984–1988 (late Showa 50s to Showa 60s)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Condition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Very Good (No chips, no cracks)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAccessories: \u003c\/strong\u003eDedicated original wooden box (Tomobako), brochure featuring artist's biography included\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial: \u003c\/strong\u003eCeramics (Mashiko ware, Jiguro black glaze, Nukajiro white rice-husk glaze pour-over)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions: \u003c\/strong\u003eLarge (Height approx. 8.1 cm, Rim diameter approx. 7.7 cm, Foot diameter approx. 5.2 cm) \/ Small (Height approx. 7.6 cm, Rim diameter approx. 7.5 cm, Foot diameter approx. 4.8 cm)\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-path-to-node=\"5\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: \u003c\/strong\u003eEven if the products provided by our shop are unused, they were produced a very long time ago and are all listed as pre-owned items. Please understand and confirm that the item may have age-related wear before considering your purchase.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlease check the photos:\u003c\/strong\u003e We prepare every description with great care, but errors may still remain in the text. Please examine the photos carefully before purchasing. Where the photos and the description differ, please take the photos as the basis for the product information.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Antique Liquor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48332227543227,"sku":null,"price":38500.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0652\/0510\/8923\/files\/IMG_3017_result.jpg?v=1789967531","url":"https:\/\/antiqueliquor1926.com\/en\/products\/434","provider":"Antique Liquor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}