羽根蒔絵杯 #5

"Feathers" Makie Sake Cup #5
This deep sake cup is decorated with four different feather patterns made with gold powder called Hiramehun.
Drawing feathers on a curved surface is extremely difficult, but by doing so, the feathers appear to sway when sake is poured into them, and the texture of the gold powder sparkles like a lens, making the design stand out.
Extremely fine lines of lacquer are drawn using only the tip of the brush, and then gold powder is sprinkled on top of them.
The piece is then finished using a technique called Togidashi Makie, this technique involves applying lacquer, polishing and grinding the surface.
The sake cups are also made from thin wood to match the delicacy of the makie, and are finished with a thin coat of lacquer.
This sake cup makes use of the beautiful grain of the zelkova wood, and the outside is finished with a Kijidame (wood lacquer) finish. This technique allows the wood grain to be seen deep inside the lacquer, and the combination of Makie and Kijidame is also a highlight.