Title: Karatsu ware, Mitsuboshi Mon Sake cup
Description
This item is a Guinomi (ぐい呑み). Guinomi is a Sake cup mainly used for enjoying Nihonshu (日本酒, Japanese alcoholic drink). While there are several theories about the origin of the name Guinomi, it is said that it came from the expression of the action “Guitto Nomu (ぐいっと呑む, drinking with a jerk)” in Japanese. Various materials are used to produce Sake cups, such as ceramics, glass, wood, tin, etcetera.
This Guinomi is a Karatsu (唐津) ware, and among this style, there are various types of Karatsu wares: E Garatsu (絵唐津), Madara Garatsu (斑唐津), Kuro Garatsu (黒唐津), Chousen Garatsu (朝鮮唐津), Mishima (三島), and Kohiki (粉引). And this Guinomi has the Egaratsu style. Karatsu ware is said to be the first in Japan to have paintings applied to potteries. Egaratsu works are painted with iron plates called the Oniita (鬼板), glazed, and fired. It is the representative Karatsu ware type used for various vessels. The motifs are diverse, including plants, flowers, and birds. In this Guinomi, you couls find the Mitsu Boshi (三つ星) designed family crests, which is a kind of the Hoshi (星, star) pattern. In Japanese, Mitsu Boshi means the Kachi-Boshi (勝ち星, winning star). For warriors who lived on the battlefields, it is understandable that many Samurai warriors favored such an auspicious motif.
*As this item is an antique, please check each photo and ensure its condition.
What is Karatsu Yaki?
Karatsu Yaki (唐津焼) is a type of Japanese pottery made around Saga (佐賀) and Nagasaki (長崎) prefectures. It is a traditional craft that has been made since the 16th century, and various types of items are made. Karatsu ware is characterized by its earthy taste, which is simple but not crude. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period (安土桃山時代, 1568/1573-1600), it was valued as a representative vessel for tea ceremonies, along with Raku Yaki (楽焼, produced in Kyoto prefecture) and Hagi Yaki (萩焼, produced in Yamaguchi prefecture). In the Sadou (茶道, Japanese tea ceremony), the spirit of Wabi-Sabi (わびさび, the art of modesty) is attached importance. Therefore, the simple yet profound style of pottery was preferred.
According to a theory, Karatsu ware has its origins in 1592, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi (豊臣秀吉, 1537-1598) sent troops to Korea, and Korean artisans first made it. However, recent research suggests that they began to be made around 1580, before the dispatch of troops to Korea.
Initially, Karatsu ware was used as everyday tableware. However, since people appreciated its original simplicity and Wabi-Sabi flavor, it gradually became used as tea ceremony utensils. As mentioned above, it established its status as a masterpiece of tea ceremony during the Momoyama period and became very famous in western Japan. After the Edo period, the number of pottery makers decreased significantly and went into decline, but a Living National Treasure, Nakazato Muan (中里 無庵, 1895-1985), restored its technique, and it is still one of the styles that is widely cherished today.
【About us】
Samurai Museum is located in Tokyo, Japan, exhibiting antique artifacts related to the Samurai history. Samurai Museum Shop is the place for those who are interested in Japanese culture and craftsmanship. We deal with antique Samurai swords/armor, traditional crafts made in Japan and so on.
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【How to make sure the condition】
Please keep in mind that what you are going to purchase is an antique item. We uploaded high resolution photos for you to check its condition thoroughly. If you like to see more photos with different angles, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to send them to you so that you can make informed decision.
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