Ceramic - Ito Seisuki V - Japan - 21st century

An elusive and complete sake set in ceramic, Mumyoi-yaki, crafted by the skilled hand of Ito Sekisui V, recognized in 2003 as a Living National Treasure of Japan. A work that unites the legendary history of Sado Island with a highly refined artistic sensibility.

The Mumyoi-yaki ceramic is renowned for using the rare Mumyoi clay, rich in iron oxides, personally collected by the Master at the historic gold mines of Sado Island. In firing, this raw material lends the ceramic a distinctive dense reddish-brown tone, warm and metallic.

Each of the five cups features a form different from the others, offering a tactile and visual experience that is always varied with every use. All components are finely hand-painted with delicate motifs of plum blossoms, a symbol of renewal, elegance, and tenacity in Japanese culture.

The set is in immaculate, original, untouched condition and has been kept to date exclusively by a private collection.

Paulownia wooden box bearing the master’s autograph seal and traditional silk cloths for protecting the ceramics, also stamped with the artist’s original seal.

Illustrative document containing the artist’s profile, biography, and notes on production.

The combination of the raw material mined from Sado’s gold mines, the formal variety of the pieces, the completeness of all accompanying documents, and Ito Sekisui V’s Living National Treasure status render this set an extraordinarily rare piece and an exceptional artistic example.