Akae-Saibyo Gourd Sake Cup

Fukushima Reiko's works utilize the akae-saibyo technique, one of the most notable methods in contemporary Kutani ware. This technique employs hair-thin red lines to create intricate and beautiful patterns on porcelain. Her graceful brush strokes make each line appear to floating above the porcelain, creating a three-dimensional effect reminiscent of dancers moving in and out of shadows and forming a gradient of red shades. Each piece immerses the viewer in the beauty of traditional craftsmanship with refined patterns and designs.

Within the venerable tradition of Kutani ware, the akae-saibyo technique, a traditional method dating back to the Edo period (1603 CE–1868 CE), captivates people with its vibrant and delicate beauty. This method involves applying red paint and gold to Kutani porcelain to create intricate overglaze paintings. Artists employ the technique to draw hair-thin lines at a consistent speed, depicting patterns, birds, flowers, landscapes, and human figures.

Although Kutani ware is famous for its vivid, multicolored paints known as Kutani gosai (red, green, yellow, purple, and navy blue), the red paint allows for the finest lines without unevenness. The charm of akae-saibyo lies in its ability to express a wide range of subjects using solely the color red.

Fukushima Reiko, a female artisan who inherits this technique, strives daily to reach new heights in her craft alongside her father, the master artisan Fukushima Buzan.

Since its inception, MUSUBI KILN has strived to introduce the world to the finest traditional crafts from masters all around Japan.

Here, in the Gallery, we seek to showcase the highest echelon of traditional techniques, passed down through generations. You can discover works from masters who have not only perfected those methods but added their imagination to innovate the craft even further.

Some of these masters have even been named Living National Treasures, a title bestowed upon them by the Japanese government to formally recognize their contribution to crafts and culture — thereby cementing their legacy and making them an important part of art history.

Each piece is meticulously handcrafted over many months to create a timeless treasure that's unlike any other. And when it's in your home, you, too, will become part of that history.