Sake Cup / Bizen / Bizen / Isezaki Taku
Bizen Masu-Sake Cups by Isezaki Taku
Here are two very unusual Bizen masu sake 'cups' made by Isezaki Taku(b.1963). Isezaki is the first son of Isezaki Mitsuru and nephew of current LNT Isezaki Jun. Masu are most often made of wood and were traditionally used for measuring rice or sake. The history of Bizen masu dates back to Kaneshige Toyo and you can read about that and an essay I wrote on Shimamura Hikaru's Bizen masu for HONOHO GEIJUTSU magazine some years back here: e-yakimono.net/html/shimamura-hikaru-sv.html Isezaki has a deep love of Bizen ornamental figures--his grandfather Yozan was a master--and thus his masu. Different kanji characters are on seen--mostly for luck--and include dai(large), kyo(Kyoto), suzume(sparrow, sparrows pick up kernels of rice and other small 'tidbits' just like one who drinks) and fuku(good luck). Although the masu appears simple, they take a great deal of work to complete. Delightful to drink from, the larger one is 4.8cm.tallx8x7.7 and is 18,000 yen; the smaller one is 4.2cm.tallx5.8 and is on reserve, each in perfect condition with a signed box, signed on base.
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