Sakazuki is a small stemmed cup designed for chilled sake. Its thin design, unique to Mikawachi ware, is crafted by covering the underside of the foot of the cup with glaze and placing the cup upside down, with the foot facing up, when firing in the kiln. Because the cup becomes very soft under high temperatures, it requires extreme care and subtle adjustments during firing to keep the delicate stem from bending. Sakazuki cups come in three designs: white porcelain with a distinctive thin body, a cup with a delicate line on the rim, and a gosumaki design with gosu glaze covering the surface. Gosumaki is a technique of glazing a large surface area using a thick dami brush. The Mikawachi area has a proud history of producing the most exquisite porcelain works as gifts for the Shogunate and the Imperial Court. The Sakazuki cups are contemporary examples of this tradition of master craftsmanship.
