23242 11th generation Raku Keiinyu (gold-plated sake cup with pine painting by Nakamura Raisho)

Height 3.0cm Diameter 9.5cm

This is a very rare guimi made by Raku Keinyu, the 11th head of the Raku family, a highly acclaimed master craftsman of the Senke Ten Craftsmen. Keinyu has a wide range of work, including not only tea bowls, but also plates, bowls, kaiseki utensils, and even sencha utensils.

Keiryu's style favors the artificiality of nonkou and ryonyu, and his decoration is exquisite.

The pine tree painting was done by Nakamura Raisho and is an extremely rare piece.

Nakamura Raisho: A painter of the Maruyama school from the end of the Edo period to the Meiji period. Born in Omi. Family name Minamoto, pen name Shikei, and pen names Shunbunsai, Tsushindo, etc. He first studied painting under Watanabe Nankaku, and later followed Maruyama Ozui. He is known as one of the four great painters of the Heian period, along with Yokoyama Seiki, Kishi Renzan, and Shiokawa Bunrin. Kono Bairei and Kawabata Gyokusho were among his pupils. He was also skilled in haiku. He died in 1871 (Meiji 4) at the age of 76.