This is a teacup decorated with itchin (slip-trailing) created by Shosaku Akashi (b. 1946), a highly skilled ceramic artist who studied under Living National Treasure Shoji Hamada and his eldest son Shinsaku Hamada, undergoing 20 years of extremely rigorous training as a senior apprentice at the Hamada Kiln, the sacred ground of Mingei (folk crafts) ceramics. Establishing his own kiln in Sayado, Mashiko-machi in 1981 to become independent, Mr. Akashi achieved high public acclaim, including winning the New Artist Award in the Crafts Division of the Kokuten exhibition, being repeatedly selected for The Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition, and being invited to the Prime Minister's Official Residence in 1993 as a cultural figure. The inside of the lid of the accompanying dedicated paulownia wooden box (tomobako) features the handwritten calligraphy "Yunomi" (Teacup), accompanied by the signature seal "Shosaku" and a seal stamp. Furthermore, as the final entry in the included explanatory pamphlet (shiori) records his winning of the Tochigi Prefecture Culture Encouragement Award and selection for the Mashiko Ceramic Art Exhibition in 1998, this work can be identified as an authentic piece produced in the late 1990s (around Heisei 10), a period when the wheel-throwing technique inherited from the Hamada Kiln and his original slip-trailing methods reached full fruition.
A detailed analysis of the piece's design reveals a magnificent expression of flawless wheel-throwing, cultivated through 20 years of training, alongside three-dimensional stippling and flowing-line patterns executed through slip-trailing (itchin), Mr. Akashi's signature technique. On the vessel surface, the itchin technique—where clay slip is extruded through a tube—applies elegant vertical lines reminiscent of swaying silver grass and raised, rounded dots reminiscent of dew or water droplets. Wrapping the vessel in a moist texture characteristic of salt glaze (or ash glaze) firing, the exterior displays a beautiful gradation from pale grey-green (olive green) to ecru from the interior bowl to the rim, with fine glaze craze marks creating deep, nuanced shadows. The area from the foot to the foot-side is intentionally left unglazed, exposing Mashiko's characteristic rustic and warm clay body (rotai), where a seal stamp proving it to be Mr. Akashi's work is clearly impressed into the raw clay.
With substantial yet comfortable dimensions measuring approx. 8.0 cm in height and approx. 8.2 cm in diameter that rest comfortably in the hand, our shop proposes this work, in alignment with modern refined lifestyles and drinking culture, as a dignified "Japanese-style rocks glass (Japanese liquor vessel)" for enjoying vintage whiskey, aged sake, matured Japanese liquor, or premium spirits over a large ice cube. The tactile comfort drawn by the three-dimensional dots and flowing lines of the slip-trailing, combined with the visual effect of amber liquor reflecting beautifully against the pale olive-green glaze tone inside the vessel, dramatically deepens a special evening drink. A masterpiece merging the orthodox techniques of Mashiko Mingei with modern sculptural sensitivity, this piece allows one to relish the true essence of Japanese craft beauty through both visual appreciation and practical use.
- Artist: Shosaku Akashi (b. 1946)
- Artist's Representative Career Highlights: [1962] Apprenticed under the late Shoji Hamada and Shinsaku Hamada, training at Hamada Kiln for 20 years. [1981] Established a kiln in Sayado, Mashiko-machi to become independent. Selected for The Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition; [1987] Won New Artist Award in Crafts Division at Kokuten exhibition; [1993] Invited to Prime Minister's Official Residence; [1996] Became Associate Member of Kokugakai; [1998] Won Tochigi Prefecture Culture Encouragement Award.
- Museum & Exhibition Records: Exhibited and selected for The Japan Folk Crafts Museum Exhibition, exhibited at Mashiko Museum of Ceramic Art, etc.
- Production Period: Late 1990s (around Heisei 10)
- Item Condition: Very Good (No chips, no cracks)
- Accessories: Dedicated paulownia wooden box (Tomobako with handwritten calligraphy "Teacup", signature seal, and seal stamp on the inside of the lid), explanatory pamphlet included
- Material: Ceramic / Pottery (Mashiko clay, salt glaze / ash glaze, white slip-trailing decoration)
- Dimensions: Height approx. 8.0 cm, Diameter approx. 8.2 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 that the item may have age-related changes before considering your purchase.
