Sake cup (guinomi) c. early 21th century

Editor: This sake cup, a guinomi, was created by Kumagae Kōshū around the early 21st century. It's made of ceramic, specifically earthenware. The textures really grab me, almost rustic, how do you interpret this piece? Curator: Focusing on the materials, the use of earthenware speaks to a deliberate choice of accessible resources. The artist's fingerprints, or intentional imperfections in the glaze – are they asserting a value of the handmade against industrial pottery? Is it a resistance, in a way? Editor: That’s interesting! So it's not just about function, but also making a statement through the making process. Do the colors play a part? Curator: Absolutely. The reddish-brown glaze, how it interacts with the firing process and changes across the form, points to control, expertise and intent in that transformation. Did the artist seek a specific tone, and how does it then invite specific aesthetic associations from the audience? Does the work stand alone from this process? Editor: I never considered how the imperfections could be so deliberate! That shifts how I see it. The materiality and the work process carry such weight, so its creation elevates the final piece. Curator: Indeed, examining the material and making choices opens up dialogues about craft versus mass production, skill versus mechanization, and intention versus chance. Each mark matters when engaging with such processes. I’ve gained insight from looking again with you today. Editor: Thanks, that was illuminating. I will surely start taking notice of the nuances in the materials and construction process now.