Japanese Hand Blown Frosted Sake Cup | Contemporary Glass by Aoki, Tadashi | 1997

Dimensions: 1-1/2”h x 2-3/8” dia.                       

The particular vessel is a small glass sake cup where the glass gives a frozen liquid appearance and when held up to the light the opaqueness beautifully collects, reflects, and amplifies the ambient light. This artist being Japanese views this transparent, hard material as foreign and somewhat exotic, and has only recently made sculptural and utilitarian glass part of everyday life.

This hand-blown white glass sake cup reflects a uniquely Japanese aesthetic, in which the transparent extraordinarily fluid natural material is the feature. The piece is smooth on the interior, with a textured exterior, with three tiny feet formed into the bottom giving it wonderful stability. This artist is known for functional one-of-a-kind works of art in which the frosting and cutting of glass make a beautiful piece that is tactile and wonderful to hold.

Vintage Condition: Excellent, original condition with no chips or cracks, “as is”, and retains the original craft/workmanship. Any discoloration, chipping/cracking, surface wear or structural damage is noted.

NOTE: SAKE DRINKING: An enjoyable way of serving sake celebrates and its role as part of the aesthetic experience of a Japanese meal is to serve it cold as opposed to the traditional warm sake. Like many aspects of traditional eating and drinking in Japan, sake consumption has its own particular aesthetic and set of specialized serving, (Tokkuri), and drinking vessels, (Guinomi) are common.

Contemporary Sake drinkers treat drinking Sake it like white wine — serve it in glass as you would any crisp white wine. Japanese specialists recommend making smaller pours only because the Japanese feel this is more social and supports long conversation.