Red Morikin Shirochibu Weeping Sakura Sake Cup

This matte red sake cup brings together the techniques of morikin “raised gold,” hakkin-mori “platinum over gold,” and shirochibu “white dots” atop Kutani ware. Against a red ground, fine white dots are applied across the surface, forming a swirling pattern that creates depth and texture while following the contours of the cup. The weeping sakura blossoms and branches are rendered in gold using morikin, which creates a raised effect by layering gold over a bengara red underlayer. The leaves are accented in silvery-white using hakkin-mori, an innovation on traditional gold decoration that layers platinum over gold. The warm gold and silvery-white accents contrast with the matte red ground, creating an interplay of color, texture, and metallic sheen. The shirochibu technique is characterized by the meticulous application of tiny white dots that add a sense of depth. The delicacy of the white texture provides a counterpoint to the richness of the gold and platinum decoration.