Polychrome Fine Pattern Sake Cup 色絵小紋杯（いろえしょうもんはい） – Michitaka Fukuno 福野道隆（ふくのみちたか） Michitaka Fukuno: Polychrome Fine Pattern Sake Cup (Iroe Shomon Hai) This exceptional 'Iroe Shomon Hai' (Polychrome Fine Pattern Cup) is a superb example of the artistry of celebrated contemporary ceramicist Michitaka Fukuno (b. 1970), based in Kasama, one of Japan's oldest pottery centers. This piece is a refined Sake Cup (Guinomi), perfectly sized for traditional Japanese drinking. It embodies Fukuno's defining aesthetic: a ceramic vessel dressed in fine textile patterns. The cup features his signature Kasuri-mon (textile splash pattern) over a tactile nunome-gesho (cloth-textured slip) ground. Across this soft surface, traditional Kasuri motifs are meticulously hand-painted, complemented by dynamic diagonal stripes in rich pinks, warm oranges, and crisp whites, creating the illusion of a vibrant, woven fabric. Fukuno achieves his characteristic soft, yet profound colors through multiple careful firings, a patient process that imbues the work with a soothing, handcrafted warmth. Created during his established period (2000–2020), this piece beautifully merges the delicate complexity of traditional Japanese textile art with a refined modern ceramic form. It is a highly collectible work from a frequently awarded master of Japanese craft. --- Artist Profile Michitaka Fukuno • Born: 1970 in Saitama Prefecture. • Training: Studied under master potter Haruhiko Ito (1993). • Location: Studio in Kasama City, Ibaraki Prefecture. • Signature: Kasuri-mon (textile pattern) on a nunome-gesho (cloth-textured slip) ground. • Key Awards: Multiple awards, including selection for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition (2002) and the Rookie of the Year Award at the Traditional Kutani Ware Art Crafts Exhibition (2006). --- Accessories Tomobako (signed wooden box), tomokire (cloth), artist’s biography. --- Dimensions & Weight Height: 5 cm Diameter: 7.5 cm Weight: 64 g (with box: 160 g) --- Technique & Condition Technique: Iroe decoration over nunome-gesho slip with hand-painted Kasuri pattern, multiple firings. Condition: Unused, excellent. --- Shipping Shipping via DHL Express from Japan. Items are securely packed to ensure safe international delivery. Import duties, VAT, and customs handling fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer. For Italian buyers: Please provide your Codice Fiscale (tax code) at the time of purchase, as it is required for customs clearance in Italy.