Sumu Woven Water Container
This glass vessel by artist Takeoka Kensuke is a mizusashi, or water container for the Japanese tea ceremony. Mizusashi plays a quiet yet essential role in holding fresh water and sustaining the rhythm of the tea ritual. The name Sumu comes from the Japanese for “clear, pure, and lucid,” evoking a sense of mental freshness and calm clarity. Drawing inspiration from the presence of traditional Japanese bamboo baskets, this piece explores the idea of “weaving with glass,” transforming a familiar structural language into a translucent, sculptural form. The resulting work resides within this contradiction, where glass—a material typically seen as hard and unchanging—gains an organic warmth and temporality, just as handwoven baskets grow more beautiful with the passage of time.
The form begins with individual glass rods—some gently curved, others left straight—which are carefully assembled into a lattice structure. This is arranged atop a base glass form, which is then blown into the vessel’s final shape. The woven rhythm remains visible throughout, yet the structure avoids rigidity, as if the form has gently come to rest. Completing the piece is a lid carved from horse chestnut wood. Its subtle sheen and soft texture add a warm, tactile presence that grounds the composition.
As daylight shifts, shadows gather and dissolve within the layered glass lines, revealing different aspects of the work throughout the day. The spaces between each strand are as significant as the material itself, establishing a delicate balance between presence and absence. Whether used in the tea room or displayed as a standalone object, this water container brings a sense of calm stillness to its surroundings.
DETAILS
| Quantity | 1 |
| Size |
D 18 cm (7.1 in) x H 16.3 cm (6.4 in) [Wooden Box] L 27 cm (10.6 in) x W 27 cm (10.6 in) x H 26 cm (10.2 in) |
| Weight | 1348 g (47.5 oz) |
| Material | Glass |
| Package Type | Wooden box |
Maker / Brand
Kensuke Takeoka was born in 1996 in Kanagawa Prefecture. He graduated from the Glass Program in the Craft Department at Tama Art University in 2019, then moved to Toyama to continue his studies at the Toyama City Institute of Glass Art.
He has received awards since 2018, most notably the Silver Prize at the International Glass Exhibition Kanazawa 2019 and First Place at the Glass Art Society Virtual 2021 Student Exhibition.
Crafts
Elevate your dining experience with exquisite Japanese glassware. Our curated collection features delicate Edo Kiriko sake cups, elegant rocks glasses, and more, all crafted with meticulous attention to detail. Discover the perfect piece to create a beautiful and memorable Japanese table setting.
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About Artist
Musubi Gallery
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 Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Heritage, 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.
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