三雀蒔絵杯

"Three Sparrows" Makie Sake Cup
This masterpiece uses intricate makie techniques to  realistically depict  autumn sparrows, before they puff out their feathers for the winter chill.

"Of all avian subjects, sparrows are my favorite. Their brown, white, and black appearance is rather plain, but they're also beautiful, and they have cute black cheeks. They have a very Japanese feel to them, and the fact that they can be seen everywhere gives them a comfortable sense of familiarity. In the harvest season, sparrows are full of life, and I wanted to show that movement in my work. They move much too fast for the eye to follow, though. So, I painted while imagining things like, 'I bet they spread their legs wide and dig their claws in to stay steady when they land,'" says Mr. Hiwatashi.

As you slowly rotate the cup in your hands, you can almost see the distinct flutter of each bird's wings. The delicate details of the makie—the movement of the wingtips, their softness, and their subtle shimmer—are truly captivating.The outside of the cup is finished in urumi (moist-glow) lacquer, while the base is polished in a deep black lacquer.