Niisato Akio (新里明士), Japanese, b. 1977

A “Hikari” Cup (光盃)

Heisei Era (1989-2019) or Reiwa Era (2019-present)

About the work

This “Hikari” cup by Niisato Akio is a refined and conceptually driven work that explores translucency and the presence of light within ceramic form. The vessel is delicately proportioned, rising from a narrow foot into a shallow, gently flaring bowl. Its silhouette is precise and restrained, emphasizing balance and clarity while allowing the material itself to remain the primary focus.

The cup is formed in highly translucent white porcelain and employs an evolved hotarude technique. Small perforations are made through the thin body and then filled with transparent glaze before firing. During firing, the glaze vitrifies within these openings, allowing light to pass through the vessel. When illuminated, the embedded glaze points glow softly, giving the impression that the cup itself emits light from within. This subtle optical effect transforms the surface into a field of quiet luminosity while maintaining a smooth and uninterrupted exterior.

It is accompanied by its original wooden storage box, cloth, and descriptive leaflet, confirming authenticity and careful preservation.

Dimensions

4.7cm(h) x 8cm(w)

Footnote

Niisato Akio, born in Chiba Prefecture in 1977, is a contemporary Japanese ceramic artist known for his technically rigorous and conceptually refined porcelain works. He completed his training at the Tajimi City Pottery Design and Technical Center in 2001 and has since received numerous major awards, including the Newcomer Prize at the Faenza International Ceramic Exhibition in Italy, the Grand Prize at the Paramita Ceramic Award Exhibition, and the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2020. Widely exhibited in Japan and internationally, Niisato is best known for his “Kōki” series, which evolves the traditional hotarude technique by embedding transparent glaze into pierced white porcelain, creating vessels that appear to emit light from within.