" Ochoco "
For this week I wanted to continue working will my lathe and see what I could come up with. With doing a little research and kinda just going with the flow I made a Ochoco piece out of figured maple.
I turned the outside, put 3 decorative lines, sanded and buffed to a 4000 grit smoothness. I then hollowed the inside and repeated the sanding and buffing process like I did on the outside.
The piece now parted from the lathe sits at 2 inches tall and 1 and one quarter inches wide. This piece is now a small Sake cup or Ochoko. In Japan Sake originally and traditionally came in a wooden box that you would also drink out of. I am more familiar in the United States to drink from these small cups usually made from ceramic or also plastic. I wanted to bring the old tradition of wood with the new shape we see most of the time.
In my thinking it is always better to drink with someone so I made a second one that is identical (well sort of) It is pretty hard to exactly match a custom turned piece. This way two can enjoy the benefit of old world drinking in a new world.
乾杯
(cheers)
This project will be in the gallery showing at the end of the 52 weeks.
Kampai! Will alcohol dissolve the finish on the inside (i.e. will it get into whatever you are drinking?)
ReplyDeleteActually the only finish on it is mineral oil on the outside, same stuff as wooden bowls. The inside is just buffed real smooth. From what I read you will get a hint of wood in the sake, but true purists believe it makes the sake better.
ReplyDeleteJohn, all the things you have done thus far are so artistic! You really are talented! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDelete