Ceramic sake set · Gumpu Nakamura · Ishikawa
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Glazes developed independently — color mixtures adjusted to within 0.00001 grams, firing temperatures controlled to the degree.
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Each color built up through at least three applications and firings — a dimensional surface that engages the fingers as much as the eyes.
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Rooted in biology and ecology — the work of a creator who found that the true essence of life lives in art, not data.
Science as a foundation for art
What stands out in the work of Gumpu Nakamura is not virtuosity alone — it is obsession. With a scientific approach, he devotes his life to creating textures and colors that don't exist in the world, yet undeniably exist within himself.
Raised in a coastal fishing village in Ishikawa Prefecture, Nakamura developed a deep curiosity about life from a young age. He studied biology at university and continued into graduate school to research ecology — until he began to feel that scientific approaches were treating life as an object. He came to believe that the true essence of life could be found not in data, but in art. Thus began his path as a creator.
Nakamura often says, "Ceramics is science." Because the materials needed to realize his visions are not commercially available, he conducts independent research and development of glazes. Color mixtures are adjusted to within 0.00001 grams, and firing temperatures are controlled to the degree. The result is a series of works that shine with luminous clarity and transparency.
In the artist's own words
This work expresses the image of a radiant presence — infused with color and light — spreading from within to envelop the entire surface.
There is no single interpretation of the pattern. It leaves room for each viewer's imagination, evoking drifting clouds in the sky, or waves on the sea. This openness is, I believe, an essential part of allowing the owner to feel a personal connection with the piece.
Each color is created by applying and firing the glaze at least three times, building up a dimensional surface. When held in the hand, the raised forms create a continuous texture — a tactile experience that engages not only the eyes, but also the fingers.
To me, a sake cup is not merely a vessel for sharing alcohol — it is a medium for conversation, a presence that facilitates connection. Because it is touched by the hand and brought to the lips, I paid special attention to the rim thickness, angle, tactile quality, and three-dimensional form, to create a sense of intimacy and harmony with the user.
Specifications
Sake carafe: W 3.3 × D 3.3 × H 4.4 in (85 × 85 × 113 mm)
Sake cup: W 2.2 × D 2.2 × H 2.0 in (55 × 55 × 51 mm)
Shipping
Ships within 2 weeks · Shipping cost included in price
Note
This product is also available at our other stores. If it is out of stock at the time of your order, we will contact you promptly to cancel the order and issue a full refund.
