ALEXCIOUS

Captivatingly treasures

From Kyoto's historic Makuzu-kiln

Revived and enlarged for worldwide, modern-day appreciation, the Kyokaratsu Sakenomi (Sake Cup) has the delightful rustic appeal of a bygone era. Developed during the Edo-Period (1603-1867), the distinctive textured finish of the Kyokaratsu is unique to this style of Japanese pottery. Retaining all the qualities and purity of form perfected by the first generation master (Miyagawa Kozan), the current head of the Makuzu kiln, the sixth generation Miyagawa Kozai’s unique sensitivity is evidenced through witnessing the elegance and grace of a true master at his potters-wheel as he lovingly, seemingly effortlessly molds each Kyokaratsu to perfection from clay quarried in the suburbs of Kyoto. Hand-made, each one is a rare, valuable piece of Japanese cultural heritage.

Though Sakenomi (Sake cups) are usually quite tiny, the idea being to sip and appreciate each drop, then refill and repeat, both shapes of the relatively large Kyokaratsu are created specifically to appeal to people all over the world to use with any beverage.

Miyagawa (Makuzu) Kozan

The astonishingly versatile and accomplished Meiji potter, Makuzu Kozan (1842 - 1916), is acclaimed as one of the greatest ceramic artists of the Meiji period (1868-1912). After the opening of Japan to the West in the mid-nineteenth century, the Meiji period was a time of tumultuous change for Japanese society. Makuzu-yaki’s shift from its origins in a traditional workshop in Kyoto to maturity in a prolific factory in the newly opened port of Yokohama, is part of the story. Kozan's ability to cater to the demands of a new Western export market and to incorporate new Western glaze techniques led to enormous success, both in Japan and abroad. Accolade after accolade followed the appearance of his work at international exhibitions including Expos in Paris and Sydney, and World Expos in both Philadelphia and St. Louis. The legendary master was appointed an artist to the Japanese Imperial household in 1882; the absolute pinnacle of the world of pottery at the time.