26096 Aoki Ryuzan Sake Cup ② AOKI Ryuzan

Height 4.2cm
Diameter 6.2cm

Aoki Ryuzan (born 1926, passed away in 2008) was the eldest son of a ceramics manufacturing and sales company in Arita Town, and majored in Japanese painting at Tama Art University in Tokyo. He became an independent artist in 1957 and founded the Ryuzan Kiln in 1963. He was awarded the Order of Culture in 2006, and was also the first recipient of the Saga Prefectural Citizen's Honor Award in the fine arts category.

Characteristics of Aoki Ryuzan's sake cups
Aoki Ryuzan's sake cups have the following characteristics:

Tenmoku technique
The Tenmoku technique is used, in which a black or dark brown iron glaze is applied and then fired. Various colors and tones can be produced depending on the thickness of the glaze, the application method, and the firing conditions. Typical examples include Kagime Tenmoku, Yohen Tenmoku, and Yuteki Tenmoku.

Unique design
The "Tenmoku Nagisa Sake Cup" is characterized by its plump beauty, smooth curves, and the seashore pattern painted with silver sand. Because each one is handmade, no two cups have the same pattern or shape. Another well-known piece is the "Tenmoku Suirin Sake Cup."