{"product_id":"p3950","title":"Bizen Blue-Glazed Sake Cup","description":"This is a Bizen Ainsai (indigo-colored) sake cup by the late master Yoji Matsui, who also mentored future generations as an instructor at the pottery center. Because cobalt was mixed directly into the clay to create the color, everything from the hue of the sesame glaze to the luster of the surface has been uniquely transformed by the influence of the indigo. The base areas take on a color more like a concentrated, near-black indigo rather than a typical blue, and this combines with the highly lustrous indigo kiln-transmutation effects to create a truly beautiful appearance. The unusual shape, reminiscent of an old ceramic abacus-bead jar, also catches the eye.\n\nSigned wooden box (shiho-san style)\u003cbr\u003e\nDiameter 6.7cm × Diameter 6.8cm × Height 5.3cm\n\nYoji Matsui entered the National Kyoto Ceramics Research Institute in 1949, where he studied all aspects of pottery. After working at the Kumamoto Prefectural Industrial Research Institute for five years, he returned to Kyoto to study under Yoshimitsu Morino, a Kiyomizu-yaki artist and Nitten juror. While still in training in 1960, he was invited by then-Okayama Prefectural Governor Yukiharu Miki to join the Okayama Prefectural Industrial Research Institute Ceramics Guidance Office. He dedicated himself to nurturing young artists and retired from his position as director to become independent in 1978. \u003cbr\u003e\nHis firing is based on natural glazes and shiso (perilla) coloring. Drawing on his experience as a Kyo-yaki artist, he also creates vibrant Bizen ware using unique techniques such as \"neriage\" (kneading two types of clay together) as well as gold, silver, and indigo glazing. \u003cbr\u003e\nBecame a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1969. Designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holder in 1996. Exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition in 1997. Numerous awards including the Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, and Sanyo Shimbun Award \/ Prefectural Exhibition Juror","brand":"松井與之","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46617957040225,"sku":"3950","price":30000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/3950.jpg?v=1790230425","url":"https:\/\/www.tourakuen.jp\/en\/products\/p3950","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}