Item Description 坂田甚内 Sakata Jinnai（1943–） 益子焼 Mashiko Ware Ash-Glaze cup (Yunomi) A work of quiet, primordial power by Sakata Jinnai, one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary Mashiko ceramics. Trained under the legendary Kamoda Shoji — widely regarded as the most innovative Japanese ceramicist of the 20th century — Sakata absorbed his master's philosophy of breaking free from tradition while remaining deeply rooted in the earth of Mashiko. This yunomi (cup) is covered in a richly layered ash glaze (灰釉 haigusuri) that fires to a complex, unpredictable surface: warm terracotta and amber at the base give way to patches of deep olive, charcoal black, and moss green across the upper body, dusted with white feldspar crystals that speckle the surface like frost on ancient stone. No two areas of the glaze are identical — the ash, melting and flowing in the kiln at high temperature, creates an organic landscape on the clay that could never be replicated. The rim is deliberately uneven and hand-formed, asserting the maker's direct presence. The foot ring is rough and tactile, firmly grounded. This is a vessel that rewards handling: the weight sits comfortably in the hand, and the slight irregularity of the form makes each use a different experience. Comes in its original signed wooden box (共箱 tomobako) with the artist's handwritten inscription, signature, and personal seal — a complete and fully authenticated piece. Size Height: 9.5 cm Width: 8 cm (diameter) Weight: 250 g (teacup only) / 438 g (with wooden box and accessories) Include Cup, original signed wooden box (共箱 tomobako) with artist's calligraphy and 陶印 personal seal, cloth (共布 tomonuno), and booklet (shiori). Condition In excellent condition with no chips, cracks, or repairs. Artist Profile 坂田甚内 Sakata Jinnai（1943–） Born in Tokyo in 1943, Sakata Jinnai studied under Kamoda Shoji — celebrated as a once-in-a-generation genius of Japanese ceramics — beginning in 1964, and established his own kiln in Kamioba, Mashiko in 1966. He has exhibited at the Akasaka Green Gallery (from 1971), Seibu Department Store Ikebukuro (1976–1986), and Nihonbashi Takashimaya (from 1987, biennial). In 1994, his solo exhibition at the New York Gallery Takashimaya served as the opening exhibition of that prestigious venue. In 2013, to mark the 20-year cycle shikinen sengu of Ise Grand Shrine, he was honored to present a major work — a large black ceramic platter with gold-leaf pressing — as a formal offering to the Naiku (Inner Shrine) of Ise Jingu. A retrospective celebrating his 35 years of ceramics was held at the Aizu Yaichi Memorial Museum, Waseda University in 2001. 【Shipping Notice】 Due to the current situation in the Middle East, shipment from Japan may not be possible to certain regions. If delivery to your country is unavailable at the time of purchase, we reserve the right to cancel the order. We kindly ask buyers in affected regions to refrain from placing bids. 【Important Notice】 The item will be carefully packaged and shipped via Japan Post, DHL, or FedEx. Estimated delivery time is about 1–3 weeks. Import duties, taxes, and other charges are not included. Combined shipping with other items is not available. Thank you for your understanding.