Hello everyone, how are you doing?
Today, we have received some exquisite sake vessels by Kosuke Kaneshige.
Created around 1990, they feature the elegant scarlet hue characteristic of the Kaneshige school.
The clear, black "haikaburi" (ash-covered) kiln transformation is also magnificent; the sight of these pieces when wet with sake is simply indescribable.
Beginning with Toyo Kaneshige, a leading figure in Bizen pottery fired in climbing kilns,
this black kiln transformation and scarlet hue, unique to climbing kiln firing, have long been beloved by sake vessel enthusiasts.
Why is this kiln transformation so highly prized and why does it continue to captivate people's hearts?
This is something I often think about, but I believe black and red are the colors most loved by the Japanese people.
Generally, black is used to represent the masculine, while red is used to represent the feminine.
Although there are various colors today, when I was in elementary school, school backpacks (randoseru) came in only two colors: black and red.
In terms of traditional crafts, lacquerware—wooden vessels coated with lacquer—basically evokes the image of these two colors, black and red,
and it seems to me that the representative image of Raku tea bowls also centers on the two colors of black Raku and red Raku.
Perhaps it is because this image of black and red, rooted in the Japanese heart, can also be felt in these ash-covered kiln transformations that they are widely recognized as the highest quality of Bizen pottery.
Furthermore, ceramic enthusiasts seeking these ash-covered kiln transformations from climbing kilns always say this:
"The ash-covering should be blacker, and the clay texture should be redder."
In fact, these are contradictory terms, and from a production standpoint, it is a very difficult request.
To make the black of the ash-covering clearer, the work must be brought closer to high temperatures within the kiln.
However, doing so causes the clay texture in the scarlet areas to become increasingly fired and hardened, making the red thinner.
The reverse is also true; trying to achieve the red results in under-firing, causing the clarity of the black to be lost.
Black and red are the ultimate combination that appeals to our instincts,
yet in reality, it is extremely difficult to achieve both in Bizen pottery, and they only reside in a very limited number of works.
Considering that, it is understandable why ceramics enthusiasts become captivated by them.
I, for one, am also someone who has been captivated by an exquisite ash-covered kiln transformation.
A clear black paired with a melting scarlet; it is extremely difficult to achieve both.
The color of the "marunuke" (circular patterns) on the side is subtly different, showing how even a slight balance change creates variations.
When wet, the black becomes moist and takes on a deeper shade.
Such magnificent firing is rare, and it comes in a premium paulownia wooden box.
The scarlet is quite deep, suggesting it will develop a wonderful patina with use.
The foot also features a magnificent, deep black kiln transformation.
(Kosuke Kaneshige / Bizen Sake Vessels - Signed Box)
Bizen Tokkuri Sake Bottle size: Dia 8.8cm × Dia 8.5cm × H 12.7cm price:Sold
Bizen Sakazuki Sake Cup size: Dia 6.1cm × Dia 6.1cm × H 6.2cm price:Sold
*Both the sake bottle and cup were created around 1990, and they come with the latest artist biography.
Also, while the sake cup shows almost no signs of use, the sake bottle has a faint sweet scent of sake.
Please be aware of this in advance.
For detailed images of the works, please contact us below.
Tel 0869-67-2210 Fax 0869-67-2220
Email to Kawaguchi Tourakuen (Clicking opens an email composition screen)