Sake cup (guinomi) c. early 21th century

Editor: Here we have a sake cup, or 'guinomi', made by Nagaoka Masami around the early 21st century. It’s stoneware, and the glaze inside is really striking – almost like looking into a sunset. What do you see in this piece? Curator: Immediately, I'm struck by how this humble object carries centuries of tradition. The earthy stoneware speaks of ancient pottery techniques, evoking a deep connection to nature and the artist's cultural heritage. Do you see how the glaze pools and flows? Editor: I do! It looks almost accidental, like the artist relinquished control. Curator: Exactly! That's key. In Japanese aesthetics, there's beauty in imperfection – wabi-sabi. This 'imperfection' might symbolize the natural cycle of creation and decay, mirroring the ephemerality of life itself. The orange color… what feelings does that evoke? Editor: Warmth, definitely. Maybe friendship and conviviality, since it's a sake cup? Curator: Precisely! And consider the cup's size; it invites intimacy. Sharing sake from a cup like this becomes a ritual, a symbol of connection and shared experience. A link to those traditions remains in even modern use. Editor: That's fascinating! I never considered how much a small cup could communicate. Curator: Art often hides in the everyday. This 'guinomi' shows us how objects can become vessels of cultural memory, laden with layers of meaning. It enriches a simple drink with history and symbolism. Editor: I’ll definitely look at ceramics differently now. Thanks for showing me that.