Shuki (Sake Vessel)

Shuki (酒器) are drinking vessels for Japanese sake. Bizen Art aesthetics developed in close relation to other aspects of Japanese culture, including the appreciation of sake and tea. Sake is said to taste richer if exposed to air, and this Shuki was designed to have a wide lip for that purpose. The sheen of this piece was achieved not through adding glaze, but rather through the use of a difficult technique in which the Bizen artist removes a piece from the kiln at its peak temperature and cools the piece down rapidly.