Preliminary identification
Photo reference
4 uploaded photos
Overview
A refined set of three Kutani porcelain sake cups (sakazuki) featuring the traditional 'Three Friends of Winter' (Sho Chiku Bai) motif. Each cup is individually hand-painted with exquisite overglaze enamels representing pine, bamboo, and plum blossom, housed in their original signed wooden presentation box (tomobako).
Story
Created in Ishikawa Prefecture, these cups celebrate the 'Three Friends of Winter'—pine, bamboo, and plum—which symbolize resilience by thriving together during the coldest months. Mayakoshi Jun's modern touch brings this ancient Chinese scholar motif into a contemporary, elegant light.
Maker / Origin
Mayakoshi Jun (born 1948) is a highly celebrated contemporary Kutani ceramic artist known for his masterful overglaze painting techniques. He studied under the legendary Living National Treasure Yasokichi III, developing a style that balances traditional Kutani brilliance with a soft, modern sensibility.
Condition & Value
The sake cups appear to be in excellent, unused condition with no visible chips, cracks, or wear to the delicate overglaze enamels. The wooden box is well-preserved with its original ribbon. Excellent condition like this commands a premium.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.