Sado’s Mumyoi Ware in Harmonious Dialogue ──“Niigata” Room, ASUKAⅢ Meets 47 Prefectures
Introducing the Artworks
As part of the “ASUKAⅢ Meets 47 Prefectures” initiative aboard the cruise ship ASUKAⅢ, which set sail on July 20, ARTerrace has collaborated with NYK Cruises Co., Ltd. and Anchor Ship Partners Inc. to curate a unique experience celebrating the cultural essence of each prefecture through individually designed guest rooms.
This project seeks not only to highlight the richness of Japan’s regional cultures through tailored interior design, but also to foster connections—between people, between individuals and localities, and among the regions themselves—thus contributing to revitalization across the country.
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For the “Niigata” room, we focused on Sado’s renowned ceramic tradition known as Mumyoi-yaki, which utilizes mumyoi-do—a vivid red clay rich in iron content, extracted from the foothills of Sado Kinzan, Japan’s largest historical gold mine. Once valued for its medicinal properties, mumyoi is now prized for enhancing the taste of tea, coffee, or even beer when served in Mumyoi-yaki vessels.
On display are two exquisite sake cups crafted by successive generations of the esteemed Itō family, custodians of this Important Intangible Cultural Property. Though differing in style, both works embody the unique beauty of Mumyoi-yaki.
▼ Mumyōi Sake Cup with Kiln Effects — by Sekijin Itō
(Fifth-generation Itō Sekisui, Living National Treasure)
