A New Challenge by Yuho Kaneshige

Hello everyone, how are you all doing? We recently sold some of Yuho Kaneshige's yohen (kiln-transformed) sake cups, and in the description, I noted that it was "the final firing of the Ibe Ushigamishita kiln." This statement prompted so many inquiries from fans of the Kaneshige family that I decided to write this article.   Before working on these yohen pieces, Yuho-sensei had already been saying, "Instead of doing 'so-called Kaneshige Bizen,' I want to work as an individual potter from here on out," and he is currently building a new kiln to realize this vision. Yuho-sensei has owned two kilns: the Ushigamishita kiln, built by Sozan-sensei, and a smaller kiln built about 15 years ago next to it for firing works made with mountain clay. Many of you might think that if these two kilns are side by side, it would have been better to dismantle the smaller one. In fact, Yuho-sensei himself struggled with this decision quite a bit before deciding to dismantle the Ushigamishita kiln. He mentioned that his two sons also supported him, saying, "You should do as you like, Father." With so few kiln craftsmen left today, once the Ushigamishita kiln is dismantled, it can never be restored. Looking at the custom-made firebricks taken from the dismantled kiln (the same huge cubes used for the Maruyama kiln), it was obvious even to an amateur like me that this was an irreversible act.   I recall the words of Toyo Kaneshige regarding kiln firing, where he suggested viewing the kiln as a womb, the work as a fetus, and the firing process as nurturing that fetus. Perhaps the nuance is a little different this time, but I felt that by seeing the Ushigamishita kiln as a womb, this signifies the birth of "Yuho" as an individual potter—a complete independence. The decision to tear down the Ushigamishita kiln may have also held the meaning of cutting off lingering attachments and making a clean break.   Given these circumstances, I included the note about the "final firing" for the recent yohen pieces. In a sense, these yohen works could be called the final creations of the "Yuho Kaneshige" era. Before undertaking these yohen works, he had spent about 15 years in reflection, creating creative works including his mountain clay series, and taking time to return to facing field clay and yohen works once more. Having spent more than half of his life in pottery, and despite his immense talent, he has reached a singular completion only after deep and repeated deliberation—they are, so to speak, the culmination of Yuho Kaneshige's work. For now, I hope you will enjoy these magnificent yohen pieces by Yuho-sensei while waiting to see the new path that the potter "Yuho" will walk. A kase-yohen sake bottle with a perfect balance of scarlet color, kase-goma, and ash-covered yohen effects. (Yuho Kaneshige / Ibe Sake Bottle, with signed box) size: Diameter 10.8cm × Height 12.9cm　price: Sold   For detailed images or other inquiries about the works, please contact us below. Tel 0869-67-2210　Fax 0869-67-2220 Email to Kawaguchi Tourakuen (Click to open your email client) Go to Kawaguchi Tourakuen HP