Sumi Ink Uroko Sake Set

Each of the three pieces in this sake set begins as molten glass gathered from the furnace and lightly formed in a mold before being pinched, twisted, and blown into its final shape by hand. These movements create the distinctive uroko (scale) texture that defines the series. Color is added by enclosing fine color granules between layers of clear glass, giving the surface a remarkable sense of depth. Guided by the movement of molten glass and the maker's hands, each piece develops slightly different textures, colors, and contours. Inspired by the quiet depth of sumi ink, the glass suggests the washes of Japanese ink painting. As light passes across the raised texture, highlights and shadows shift with every angle, every pour, and every moment of the day. With each of these changes, new aspects of its character come into focus, suggesting a calm presence that unfolds over time. For glass artist Takeoka Kensuke, the appeal of glass lies in its unpredictability. Fascinated by a material that never behaves entirely as expected, he developed the uroko texture through his own exploration rather than inheriting it from an established tradition. With each new moment, the vessel continues to change, quietly revealing the beauty found in movement, variation, and the passage of time. On the underside of each piece, the 竹 (take) of Takeoka and the む (mu) of MUSUBI KILN are hand-engraved by the artist.