🎎 Hand-Painted Guinomi Sake Cup – Showa Era – Japan Antique Roadshow
🎎 This elegant and expressive Japanese guinomi (ぐい呑み)—a type of small sake cup—is hand-crafted and hand-painted, showcasing bold cobalt-blue motifs on a speckled ivory glaze. It likely dates from the mid to late Showa 昭和 period (1926–1989) and bears the hallmarks of traditional Japanese folk ceramic styles.
Measuring 8.5 cm across the top, 4 cm at the base, and 4 cm in height, this guinomi weighs approximately 90 grams, which makes it larger than typical sake cups—possibly intended for more generous pours or even for serving warm sake (atsukan 熱燗) in cooler months.
The exterior features a classic combed wave or key-fret design at the rim and an angular, mountain-like motif around the body. The interior has a simple, elegant ringed border and a unique character or signature-like mark at the center—further emphasizing its handmade nature. The ceramic is beautifully crackled from age (known as kan’nyū 貫入), adding to its character, and the entire cup exudes the rustic warmth and imperfection prized in mingei 民芸 (folk art) and wabi-sabi aesthetics.
The condition is very good, with only small signs of wear and age such as minor scuffs and a small nick at the foot—normal for vintage sakeware. This piece is as functional as it is decorative, perfect for enjoying fine sake or displaying as a small example of Japan's living pottery tradition.
Welcome to the Japan Antique Roadshow channel. My name is Kurt Bell and I am delighted that you have taken some time to share a little of Japan with me. I'm available on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), YouTube, and via email (email address listed below) if you have questions or just want to chat and say hi. I look forward to meeting you online. Have a great day!
Curated by Kurt Bell in Shizuoka City, this hand-painted sake cup is a timeless reminder of Japan’s artisanal spirit and the beauty found in humble, everyday things.
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Quality Guarantee & Returns
- Quality is guaranteed. If there is a print error or visible quality issue, we'll replace or refund it.
- Because the products are made to order, we do not accept general returns or sizing-related returns.
