Artwork Overview

Concentrated green glaze moves across the rugged surface of this Iga cup by Atarashi Manabu. Against pale olive and metallic brown earth tones, translucent green passages gather along the angular planes. A distinct shell-support mark punctuates the side, adding a small, sharply textured detail to the broader composition.

Artist Context

In this work, Atarashi gives the clay a strong structural presence. Uneven walls, pronounced ridges and a low foot establish a compact silhouette, while the irregular rim opens onto a mottled interior. The changing surface follows the form closely, making each plane a different encounter with the material.

Artistic Interpretation

The green glaze has a painterly quality: thin areas resemble transparent washes, while deeper accumulations form brighter pools and lines. Reddish-brown patches interrupt the pale ground, and granular textures remain visible beneath and beside the glaze. The ribbed shell-support mark brings a contrasting rhythm to these flowing passages.

Curator’s Selection

We selected this cup for the relationship between its rugged, metallic-looking earth surface and the freshness of its green glaze. The colour gives light and movement to the substantial form. Its composition unfolds around the vessel, with vivid green areas giving way to quieter olive planes and scattered brown markings.

Collector Perspective

This is a work that invites the small pleasure of turning a cup in the hand. A slight change of angle brings a green pool into the light, reveals the shell mark or opens a different view of the interior. Such details can make an everyday pause more attentive and enjoyable, giving the piece a presence beyond its time on display.