{"product_id":"japanese-sometsuke-kozanji-guinomi-sake-cup-nishikawa","title":"KIYOMIZU WARE SAKE CUP | SOMETSUKE KOZANJI 染付高山寺 | NISHIKAWA","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eA refined Kiyomizu ware sake cup where the quiet elegance of \u003cem\u003esometsuke\u003c\/em\u003e blue-and-white painting meets one of Japan’s most celebrated historical images — the playful animals of the Chōjū-giga scrolls.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDescription\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eCreated by Kyoto ceramic artist \u003cstrong\u003eKuramoto Takashi (倉元貴史)\u003c\/strong\u003e, this sake cup draws its imagery from the famous \u003cstrong\u003eChōjū-jinbutsu-giga (鳥獣人物戯画)\u003c\/strong\u003e associated with Kōzan-ji Temple in Kyoto.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe historic scrolls depict anthropomorphic animals — most famously rabbits, frogs and monkeys — running, wrestling and behaving almost like people. Their remarkably lively brushwork has made them one of the most recognisable works of classical Japanese pictorial art.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eKuramoto translates this imagery onto Kiyomizu ware through \u003cstrong\u003esometsuke (染付)\u003c\/strong\u003e, the traditional technique of painting cobalt decoration beneath a transparent glaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eHere, the restrained palette is particularly effective. Rather than relying on elaborate colour or extensive gold decoration, the cup is built almost entirely around the contrast between the warm ivory-white porcelain and freely drawn indigo-blue lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eLook closely and the character of the hand-painted work becomes apparent. The lines vary naturally in thickness and intensity; the animals feel animated rather than mechanically reproduced. Kuramoto's related Kōzan-ji works are likewise described as being individually formed and painted by hand, meaning subtle variations are part of the character of each piece. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe form itself adds another layer. A gentle narrowing around the middle gives the cup a comfortable place for the fingers to settle, while the slightly flared upper section creates an elegant silhouette.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eAnd then there is the smallest finishing touch: \u003cstrong\u003ea fine golden line around the rim\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eIt is deliberately restrained. Rather than turning the cup into a decorative gold piece, the narrow rim catches the light only occasionally, giving the otherwise blue-and-white composition a quiet sense of refinement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThis is what makes the piece particularly successful: \u003cstrong\u003eit feels distinguished without needing to look extravagant.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Kōzan-ji Story\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThe imagery originates from the celebrated \u003cem\u003eChōjū-jinbutsu-giga\u003c\/em\u003e scrolls preserved by \u003cstrong\u003eKōzan-ji Temple in Kyoto\u003c\/strong\u003e. The scenes are famous for their expressive animals and extraordinarily fluid line work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThere is also a particularly fitting connection between the imagery and drinking vessels. Retail documentation for Kuramoto's Kōzan-ji series notes Kōzan-ji's historical association with the early cultivation of tea in Japan, helping explain why Chōjū-giga imagery has long found a natural home on Japanese drinking ware. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eWhat Kuramoto has created here is therefore more than simply an attractive animal illustration. It brings together \u003cstrong\u003eKyoto ceramics, sometsuke painting and imagery rooted in Kyoto's cultural history\u003c\/strong\u003e within a small object designed to be held and used.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\"\u003e\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artisan — Kuramoto Takashi\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eKuramoto Takashi was born in 1968 as the second son of second-generation Kuramoto Kōhō. He studied ceramic forming and advanced ceramics in Kyoto before training under his father, and later received instruction from second-generation Miura Chikken. His stated approach is to preserve techniques inherited through the Kōhō lineage while bringing a contemporary sensibility to traditional craftsmanship. \u003cspan class=\"contents\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\"\u003eThat philosophy is particularly visible in this piece: an old Kyoto subject and an established ceramic technique presented with remarkable clarity and lightness.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3 dir=\"auto\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\n\u003cspan role=\"text\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSummary\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"auto\" class=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA quietly distinguished Kiyomizu ware sake cup by Kuramoto Takashi, bringing the lively animals of Kyoto’s Chōjū-giga tradition into the restrained beauty of hand-painted sometsuke, finished with a subtle golden rim.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePRODUCT DETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand: Nishikawa\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kyoto, Japan\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWare:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kiyomizu Ware \/ Kyo Ware\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArtist:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kuramoto Takashi (倉元貴史)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKiln tradition:\u003c\/strong\u003e Kōhō\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOriginal name:\u003c\/strong\u003e 染付高山寺\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRomanised name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sometsuke Kozanji\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTechnique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sometsuke underglaze painting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMotif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Chōjū-jinbutsu-giga \/ Kōzan-ji\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetail:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fine gold-coloured rim\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProduct:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sake Cup \/ Guinomi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCraft character:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hand-painted; natural variations between individual pieces should be expected\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eHand wash only. Not suitable for Microwave, dishwasher, freezer, oven, or direct flame use\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNotes\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eEach piece is handcrafted, with slight variations in form and texture. Subtle glaze variations are a natural characteristic of the making process and add to the unique expression of each piece.\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eShipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eShipped directly from the UK warehouse. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"NISHIKAWA","offers":[{"title":"Single cup","offer_id":57470473896311,"sku":null,"price":118.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pair - 2 cups","offer_id":57470473929079,"sku":null,"price":208.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"Pair - SOMETSUKE Pair","offer_id":57471190008183,"sku":null,"price":238.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0985\/0241\/0615\/files\/KIYOMIZU_WARE_SAKE_CUP_SOMETSUKE_KOZANJI.jpg?v=1789736261","url":"https:\/\/kumohana.com\/products\/japanese-sometsuke-kozanji-guinomi-sake-cup-nishikawa","provider":"KUMOHANA 雲花","version":"1.0","type":"link"}