Cup / Bizen / Shimamura Hikaru
Bizen Masu-Sake Cup by Shimamura Hikaru
Here is a very unusual Bizen masu sake vessel. 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's Bizen masu for HONOHO GEIJUTSU magazine some years back here: e-yakimono.net/html/shimamura-hikaru-sv.html Actually, this piece is the one featured in the article! Shimamura has a deep love of Bizen ornamental figures and thus his masu. Different kanji characters are on seen--mostly for luck--and include kokoro(heart-spirit), dai(large), kyo(Kyoto), suzume(sparrow, Shimaura told me sparrows pick up kernels of rice and other small 'tidbits' just like one who drinks) and fuku(good luck). Although the masu appears simple, it took a great deal of work to complete. Delightful to drink from, it's 4.8cm.tall and 7cm.wide, in perfect condition with a signed box, signed hikaru on base.
ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
