01Kutani akae — fewer than 20 people in the world can still paint this intricate red-and-gold tradition
02Fine patterns painted across the entire surface by hand — no two pieces are ever the same
03Made to order by Kazuhiko Komekyu — over 30 years of experience, produced one at a time
Fine patterns cover the entire surface without a gap — a density of detail that is difficult to attribute to a human hand. This golf ball marker is the work of Kazuhiko Komekyu, a Kutani akae painter with over 30 years of experience, produced entirely to order.
Kutani akae — a tradition on the edge of disappearance
Kutani-yaki ceramics trace their origins to the early Edo period, around 1650. Akae — the style characterized by detailed painting in red and gold — emerged at the end of the Edo period and reached its peak during the Meiji era (1868–1912), when 200 to 300 craftsmen practiced the art. Fewer than 20 remain today.
Komekyu describes what the work demands as "mentality" and "the physical strength to keep sitting." Each painting session is different, and because no two processes are identical, no two pieces are alike. The brushwork reveals the state of mind of the maker at the moment of creation.
The paints are original formulations — red shells, oxidized iron, and glass are added to create luster. The brushes used are equally considered: new bristles cannot produce the required line quality. Brushes are first used for three years as underpainting tools, until only the core remains and the oil has been fully drawn out. Cared for properly, a single brush can last 10 to 15 years.
Specifications
Size: diameter 42 mm
Weight: 17 g
Shipping
Ships within 3 months · Shipping cost included in price.
This product is made to order.
