242. MATSUO Takaaki (1938- ), Iga-ware cylindrical sake cup, with natural ash-glazing, kiln effects, and dragonfly eyes

242. MATSUO Takaaki 松尾髙明  (1938- ),  伊賀自然釉窯変蜻蛉目のぞき盃  Iga shizenyū yōhen tombo no me nozoki-hai (Iga-ware cylindrical sake cup, with natural ash-glazing, kiln effects, and dragonfly eyes)

For Matsuo, see item 241. 

Light gray clay. Natural ash glazing over the exterior and upper portion of the interior, with kiln effects in the red range on the exterior and interior; some vitrification. Weight: 80 g (2.9 oz).  Width: of rim: 5.5 x 4.8 cm (2-1/4 x 1-7/8 in); of base, 3.5 cm (1-1/2 in). Height: 6.5 cm (2-5/8). 

This is similar to the preceding item, but slightly smaller. The inscription on the box explicity labels it a natural ash-glazed piece. It was also fired with the mouth facing the direction of the heat and ash flow. 

This sits on a very shallow, concave circular base. Above the base the walls flare out at a shallow angle to a diameter of 4.2 cm (1-3/4 in). From there the walls rise in more or less a straight line to the rim. The top of the cup is an oval. The movement from the round base to the oval rim creates a piece with two slightly flatter sides. The surface varies from smooth over the vitrified portions to rough over the areas with more ash deposits. Nozoki is one of the terms for labeling a cylindrical piece. 

Unglazed. This was apparently fired lying on one side with the mouth facing the direction of the heat and ash flow. The ash deposits are not as heavy as they are on the preceding item; they are heaviest on the side that faced upwards. The vitrification occurred at the edges of these ash deposits and ran down the sides in several long drips. The side facing downwards shows kiln effects in the red range. The interior shows some ash deposits at the rim; the rest of the interior shows kiln effects. The base was colored a dull red from the kiln effects. 

This came in a box, inscribed by Matsuo. The top surface of the lid reads, in four lines, 伊賀 / 自然釉窯変 / 蜻蛉目 / のぞき盃  (Iga / shizenyū yōhen / tombo no me / nozoki-hai;  Iga[-ware] / natural ash-glazing, kiln effects / dragonfly eyes / cylindrical cup). The underside of the lid is inscribed with the potter’s given name 髙明 (Takaaki) followed by an impression of his seal stamped in red. Included with the box were a short printed biography and an orange wrapping cloth. 

Purchased from Kura Monzen Gallery, in Kyoto, Japan, (Shipping label, invoices, customs documents)