The sake cup I have used for a time is deeply flavorful.

Hello everyone, how are you all doing? We have been through so much, and there is so little of this year left. We have been hit by an intense cold wave recently, so please take extra care of your health and take precautions against infectious diseases.   Now, today I would like to introduce some rather unusual pieces. Aren't you curious about what kind of sake cups a Bizen ware artist actually uses in their daily life? Whether it's their own work, a relative's work, the work of a fellow potter friend, or something purchased at a gallery, there are many options, but there must be choices unique to an artist with such strong discerning tastes. So, for this installment, I was shown the sake cups currently loved and used by Makoto Kaneshige, who is also known as a heavy drinker. First, let me introduce a "Bizen-style" sake cup. What do you think of it? Makoto Kaneshige often uses his own sake cups or those made by Sozan Kaneshige. I imagine this piece feels quite far from the image you have of Makoto Kaneshige. In terms of size, it is quite small at about 6 cm in diameter and 5.5 cm in height. Rather than the sharp, speedy throwing technique typical of Makoto Kaneshige, it conveys an atmosphere of pure joy in playing with the clay. Coincidentally, it has a flavor similar to the work of Handeishi Kawakita, whom Makoto Kaneshige admires. Apparently, the clay used for this cup is a top-quality Bizen clay that Makoto prepared while Sozan Kaneshige was still alive—clay that has been aged for 40 years. It was very impressive to hear him say, "People often ask for ash-covered or kiln-transformed pieces at exhibitions, but when the clay is truly good, I feel the ash is unnecessary." Next, I would like to introduce a Kohiki (brushed slip) sake cup that Makoto Kaneshige loves to use. He released new glazed pottery at the firing two times ago, and he has been using and "nurturing" one of the Kohiki sake cups from that batch ever since. He seems to particularly like the way the crazing (cracks in the glaze) has developed, saying it offers a different kind of enjoyment compared to Bizen. By the way, Tamon Kaneshige says he often uses the works of Sozan Kaneshige when enjoying sake at home. He is particularly fond of the glazed pieces that are "not for sale." He says it is a pleasure to trace the thoughts and emotions Sozan Kaneshige had at the time through these pieces. What did you think of the sake cups currently loved by these potters? I am planning to ask them to show me other favorite pieces, not just sake cups, if the opportunity arises. In the meantime, I wish you all a happy New Year with your own favorite pieces. Thank you for everything this year. I look forward to our continued relationship next year.