Japanese Kutani Porcelain Sake Cup - Old Man Guinomi

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Payment | Shipping | Store Policies Japanese Kutani Porcelain Sake Cup - Old Man Guinomi Description Beautiful Kutani Japanese sake cup ( guinomi in Japanese). Kutani -ware has been produced in Japan for over 300 years within remote villages of the 'nine valleys' ( Kutani means nine valleys) region of Kaga province in Japan's Ishikawa prefecture (please see map below). Noted for it's fine brush work and delicate porcelain, Kutani kilns have produced some of Japan's finest ceramic art through generations of refined production. Though the actual origins of Kutani -ware are uncertain, we know that the kilns of the nine valleys were long supported through the patronage of the powerful Maeda clan who were the ditary rulers of the region. About the Listed Item This splendid Kutani porcelain sake cup includes the Kutani mark visible on the underside of the cup and the image of an old man on the inner surface. The figure represented may be one of the famous seven luck gods which are collectively known as Shichifukujin . This sake cup was made during the mid to late Japanese Showa period (1926-1989) and is in good condition with no chips, cracks or large scratches though it does have some minor marks, stains and blemishes from handling and age. The base of the cup is also worn possibly from past use. The cup was acquired in the beautiful and historic city of Shizuoka, Japan near the foot of Mt. Fuji. Click to see additional high-quality Kutani ceramic items available for purchase from our eBay store The Old Tokaido or click to see more sake cups! Size: Height: 1.2 inches (3.0 centimeters) Diameter: 2.1 inches (5.5 centimeters) Weight: 0.9 ounces (27 grams) Important note: Images of the Kutani items we list are often uploaded to our Japanese Kutani Art blog which is an on-line gallery of unique and interesting examples of fine Kutani art. The purpose of this blog is strictly to share images of some of the wonderful Kutani pieces we encounter in the course of our work, and to provide a digital archive to preserve these images into the future. If you purchase a Kutani item from us and do not want a digital copy of your purchase displayed in the photo blog or archive then please simply send us an email indicating your preference and we will promptly remove the image. Click to see additional sake items! Click to see other fine-quality Japanese ceramics! Click to see more treasures from Japan! More about Japanese sake and sake utensils Sake has long been an important part of Japanese culture. In the past, sake was considered a very special item, reserved for only the most important occasions, such as weddings, birth celebrations and other auspicious events. Sake was considered a sacred drink, and accordingly the first glass poured was always offered to the gods before the remainder could be shared among the celebrants. Sake can be served either warm or cold and special sake flasks are used to both prepare and dispense this unique Japanese drink. Sake is warmed either by immersing the flask (already filled with sake of course) into warm water until the desired temperature is reached or through the use of a special sake kettle called a choshi . The latter method however, though common in old Japan, is today usually reserved for ceremonial events only. Over time, sake utensils, such as cups have developed their own ritual significance which is still evident in modern Japan. For example, it is today common at Japanese engagement parties for the man and woman to exchange sake cups as a sign of their mutual intent to marry. Very beautiful sake cups are also given away to celebrate the birth of a child, as these cherished items are considered symbolic of the significance of the new parent-child relationship. Though normally small in size, sake cups and flasks have long been used in Japan as a medium for the expression of art and calligr... read more

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