This is a supreme pair of red enamel porcelain works, "Kutani Fine Red Enamel Stem Cups with Peach Motif (Bajohai), Pair (2 pieces)," created by Hogaku Yamamoto (b. 1960), a leading authority in Kutani fine red enamel decoration (akae saibyo), a Traditional Craftsman certified by the Minister of International Trade and Industry (now the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry), and a highly renowned artist who presented works to the Imperial Household. Mr. Yamamoto, who cultivated his pictorial composition skills in the Design Course at Fukui High School and the Fine Arts Department (Japanese Painting) at Kinjo Junior College, learned wheel-throwing techniques at the Kutani Ware Crafts Training School. In 1982, he entered the studio of Hoshun Fukushima, a master of Kutani fine red enamel decoration, receiving strict training in miraculous brushwork that draws lines as fine as human hair, as well as in overglaze enamels. In 1985, immediately after going independent, on the occasion of the Imperial visit to Kaga City for the All Japan High School Athletic Meet, he was honored to produce and present "Kutani Fine Red Enamel Appetizer Dish with Chrysanthemum and Phoenix Motif" to Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess (the Current Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita). Later, he successively served as a member of the Ishikawa Branch of the Japan Art Crafts Association and a director of the Kaga Art Box Association, establishing a brilliant career that includes solo exhibitions at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store and ceramic wall creations for major public buildings. The outer lid of the accompanying dedicated paulownia wooden box (tomobako) features the handwritten inscription "Kutani Fine Red Enamel Stem Cups with Peach Motif," while the inner lid bears the signature seal "Kutani Hogaku" and a seal stamp. Since the final entry in the included explanatory pamphlet (shiori) lists "2007 (Heisei 19) Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store (3rd Exhibition)," this work can be estimated as a piece created around 2007 (around Heisei 19), a period when his craftsmanship reached full maturity.
Analyzing the design of this piece reveals a magnificent condensation of advanced compositional beauty backed by his background in Japanese painting and design, alongside Mr. Yamamoto's true hallmark: ultra-high-density fine red enamel decoration. On the exterior of the vessel, auspicious compartmentalized patterns such as shippo (seven treasures), kikko (tortoiseshell), and lattice motifs are meticulously drawn at micron-level density using a fine brush, at the center of which juicy peach fruits and leaves are depicted with gold outlines, red enamel gradations, and delicate stippling. Furthermore, cute peach fruits and plum blossoms are charmingly drawn on the inner bottom (mikomi), with geometric patterns and gold paint applied without gaps up to the inner rim of the vessel and the stem foot. The "peach" depicted here has been considered a sacred tree and divine fruit in Chinese and Japanese traditional motifs since ancient times, representing an exceptionally high-ranking auspicious motif symbolizing longevity and immortality. It also originates from the tale in the Kojiki (Records of Ancient Matters) where Izanagi no Mikoto repelled evil spirits with peach fruits, embodying a powerful talisman for warding off evil and bringing good health and blessings. The stem foot features beautiful decorations in green and gold enamels, and the bottom of the foot is proudly inscribed with "Kutani Hogaku" in red enamel.
Boasting a stem cup (bajohai) form with an elegant posture measuring approx. 5.5 cm in diameter and approx. 7.5 cm in height, our shop proposes this work, in alignment with modern refined lifestyles and fine spirits culture, as an ultimate pair of "Japanese-style shot glasses (Japanese liquor vessels)" for savoring vintage whiskey, premium straight spirits, aged sake, or matured Japanese liquor neat. The tactile texture of delicate painting felt when holding the cup in hand and the auspicious motif of peaches and plum blossoms that appears at the bottom when pouring and finishing your drink elevate an evening drink to an incomparably graceful and dignified occasion. A masterpiece uniting the supreme line drawing technology of an Imperial Presenting Artist with traditional auspicious motifs, this piece allows one to relish the true essence of Japanese craft beauty through both visual appreciation and practical use.
- Artist: Hogaku Yamamoto (b. 1960)
- Artist's Representative Career Highlights: Graduated from Design Course at Fukui High School, Fine Arts Department at Kinjo Junior College, and Kutani Ware Crafts Training School. [1982] Studied under Hoshun Fukushima. [1985] Went independent; presented a fine red enamel work on the occasion of the Imperial visit of Their Imperial Highnesses the Crown Prince and Crown Princess (current Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita) to Kaga City. [1989] Member of Ishikawa Branch of Japan Art Crafts Association; [1996] Certified as a Traditional Craftsman by the Minister of International Trade and Industry; held solo exhibitions at Mitsukoshi Nihombashi Main Store (1st to 3rd). Director of Kaga Art Box Association, Director of Kaga Kutani Ware Ceramics Co-operative Association.
- Production Period: Around 2007 (around Heisei 19)
- Item Condition: Very Good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Dedicated paulownia wooden box (Tomobako with handwritten calligraphy "Kutani Fine Red Enamel Stem Cups with Peach Motif" on the lid, signature seal "Kutani Hogaku" and seal stamp on the inside of the lid), career pamphlet (shiori), wrapping cloth included
- Material: Porcelain (Fine red enamel decoration, gold paint, green glaze, yellow glaze)
- Dimensions: Diameter approx. 5.5 cm, Height approx. 7.5 cm
- Note: The items provided by our shop were produced a very long time ago even if unused, and are all listed as pre-owned items. Please understand and confirm the age-related changes before considering your purchase.
