Old Imari sake cup with rust glazed line pattern

A simple and minimalist Ko-Imari sake cup, known to be a favorite of Ms. Masako Shirasu.

The white porcelain base features a faint comb-like horizontal stripe pattern, and the body and rim are colored with rust glaze.

There are as many sake cups as there are stars in the sky, but it is rare to come across one with such a modern design.

It looks good, is neat and very stylish.

Perhaps that is what Ms. Masako Shirasu liked about it.

"Utsuwa Tsurezure"(『器つれづれ』) - a book that compiles photographs of the various tableware that Ms. Shirasu uses on a daily basis.

Among them, works similar to this one are introduced.

( Source: Masako Shirasu, Takeshi Fujimori, "Utsuwa Tsurezure", Sekai Bunka Publishing, 1999, p.69 )

In her book, Ms. Shirasu says the following about Imari:

"I have a lot of Imari blue and white ware, including some early pieces... Most of them are tableware for everyday use, but because they are durable and the pictures are interesting, I have used them for many years, taking advantage of the opportunity. Still, I never tire of them, and they go well with any type of food, whether Japanese or Western, so they are very useful. Recently I have been particularly drawn to pieces with strong designs and simple designs... When I see a plate with an outstanding design from Ko-Imari, I lose track of time as I wonder what kind of potter must have made it." (Utsuwa Tsurezure, p. 86)

"Utsuwa Tsurezure" introduces a variety of soba choko cups, but this one particularly catches your eye.

Ms. Shirasu must have been very fond of the painting, as copies were later made at Buaiso(武相荘) and sold.

A summer evening, when the cicadas are starting to make a racket.

Jiro and Masako would often sit with a bowl full of broad beans and a glass of beer in front of them and talk about old times.

This sake cup must have been used in such daily life.

It is in good condition and undamaged.

It is large for a sake cup, so it is easy to use.

Simple yet innovative, this soba cup truly evokes the sophistication of the Edo period.