About the Works Artist: Kōyō Matsui 松井康陽 Title of work: Neriage Sake Cup with Mukubai glaze 椋灰釉練上酒呑 This sake cup by Japanese ceramic artist Kōyō Matsui is a refined example of the traditional neriage (marbled clay) technique combined with a subtle Mukubai glaze. The vessel is compact and elegant, with a rounded form that fits comfortably in the hand. Its surface is adorned with flowing patterns in shades of blue, turquoise, gray, and white, reminiscent of natural stone or moving water. The interplay of colors and textures gives the cup both visual depth and a sense of rhythm, making it a pleasure to behold from every angle. The neriage technique, used here with great finesse, was pioneered by Kōyō Matsui’s father, Kōsei Matsui. It involves layering or blending different colored clays together, then shaping them so that their natural striations and contrasts emerge as intricate patterns. Unlike surface painting, the design runs through the clay body itself, ensuring that each piece is truly unique and impossible to replicate. The application of the Mukubai glaze adds a soft, translucent finish that enhances the layered colors and gives the vessel a delicate sheen. Size: Diameter: 7 cm Height: 4.5 cm Weight: 78 g About the Artist Kōyō Matsui (born 1962 in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture) is the eldest son of the late Living National Treasure ceramic artist Kōsei Matsui*. Growing up surrounded by ceramics, he developed a natural affinity for the medium. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at the University of Tsukuba in 1985, he entered his father’s studio and embarked on a full-time career in ceramics. He has inherited the distinctive neriage (marbled clay) technique pioneered by his father, while at the same time exploring more geometric and refined expressions of form and pattern. His works are characterized by intricate designs that emerge through the layering of differently colored clays, creating a complex and harmonious interplay of patterns visible on both surfaces. *Kōsei Matsui (1927–2003) was a ceramic artist who pioneered the neriage (marbled clay) technique and was designated a Living National Treasure in 1993. Based in Kasama, Ibaraki Prefecture, he refined the intricate method of layering differently colored clays to create striking patterns, producing works celebrated for their elegance and refined beauty. His research and practice transcended the boundaries of traditional craft, leaving a profound legacy in the history of modern Japanese ceramics. Awards Matsui has received numerous accolades throughout his career. He was selected for the 38th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition in 1991 and the 32nd New Works Exhibition of Traditional Art Crafts in 1992. In 1997, he won the Mainichi Newspaper Grand Prize at the 2nd Kita-Kantō Ceramics Exhibition, and in 1998 he was awarded the Encouragement Prize at the 45th Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. In 2006, he received the Hazan Prize at the Ibaraki Prefectural Art Festival, further solidifying his standing in the contemporary ceramics field. Exhibitions, Solo Shows & Activities Matsui has exhibited widely, both in Japan and abroad. Notable milestones include his selection for the 12th Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition in 1993, and solo exhibitions at Nihonbashi Mitsukoshi Main Store in 1994 and 1996. In 1999, he was invited to participate in the NHK-organized 100 Selected Japanese Crafts exhibition in Paris, bringing international recognition to his work. He was also invited to the Contemporary Ceramics of Ibaraki exhibition at the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum in 2000, and later took part in its Contemporary Ceramic Art exhibition in 2006. In 2007, he contributed to the Contemporary Ibaraki Artists Exhibition, underscoring his contribution to regional culture. As a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association, he continues to advance the art of neriage. In 2013, during the special exhibition Ten Years After: Living National Treasure Kōsei Matsui at the Ibaraki Ceramic Art Museum, he gave a lecture titled The Lineage of Neriage — From Kōsei to Kōyō, presenting himself as a successor to his father’s celebrated legacy. Appearance Please see photos for details. Shipping Information Items are shipped from Japan via DHL or Japan Post. A tracking number will be provided once the shipment has been dispatched. Please note that we are unable to under-declare the value of an item or mark it as a gift for shipping purposes. Obligations of the importer Import duties, taxes and fees are not included in the bid price or shipping charges. These charges are the responsibility of the buyer. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be before bidding or purchasing. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.