Bizen sake cup

This Bizen sake cup is by the late Kazan Matsuda, a true master who faithfully carried on the traditional techniques of Bizen ware as a notable specialist in tea ceramics. The work is captivating for its grand, imposing presence, much like Mount Fuji appearing on a clear day. The scorched sesame glaze (koge-goma), which emerges in the shape of rugged peaks against a smooth, bright cream-colored sesame glaze, is fascinating; the black contrast against the cream base highlights the dynamic quality of the scorched effect. Additionally, the sangiri markings visible at the boundary between the sesame and sangiri glazes create a landscape reminiscent of billowing blue clouds, another key highlight of this piece.

With signed wooden box (with two-way struts)
Diameter 8.1 cm × Diameter 7.9 cm × Height 4.4 cm

Kazan Matsuda was the second son of the celebrated master Kazan Matsuda III and learned the craft of pottery from his father from a young age. Upon graduating from the ceramics department of Bizen High School in 1955, he succeeded to the name Kazan IV. While continuing to create his own works, he succeeded his mentor, Zenji Uragami, as a lecturer in the same high school's ceramics department for seven years starting in 1961. While focusing primarily on tea ceramics, he also produced vases, sake vessels, and tableware. Using semi-underground anagama kilns, he sought the authentic clay texture of antique Bizen ware, focusing on wine-colored surfaces and golden sesame glazes. He received the Asahi Prize at the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition in 1962. From 1963, he was selected for the Japan Kogei Exhibition consecutively, and in 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. He received the Kaneshige Toyo Prize in 1982. In 1997, his work was exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. In 2002, he was certified as an Okayama Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property holder. He passed away in 2003.
Awards: Recipient of the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Prize, Asahi Prize at the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, and many others / Served as a judge for the Prefectural Art Exhibition. This Bizen sake cup is by the late Kazan Matsuda, a true master who faithfully carried on the traditional techniques of Bizen ware as a notable specialist in tea ceramics. The work is captivating for its grand, imposing presence, much like Mount Fuji appearing on a clear day. The scorched sesame glaze (koge-goma), which emerges in the shape of rugged peaks against a smooth, bright cream-colored sesame glaze, is fascinating; the black contrast against the cream base highlights the dynamic quality of the scorched effect. Additionally, the sangiri markings visible at the boundary between the sesame and sangiri glazes create a landscape reminiscent of billowing blue clouds, another key highlight of this piece. With signed wooden box (with two-way struts)
Diameter 8.1 cm × Diameter 7.9 cm × Height 4.4 cm Kazan Matsuda was the second son of the celebrated master Kazan Matsuda III and learned the craft of pottery from his father from a young age. Upon graduating from the ceramics department of Bizen High School in 1955, he succeeded to the name Kazan IV. While continuing to create his own works, he succeeded his mentor, Zenji Uragami, as a lecturer in the same high school's ceramics department for seven years starting in 1961. While focusing primarily on tea ceramics, he also produced vases, sake vessels, and tableware. Using semi-underground anagama kilns, he sought the authentic clay texture of antique Bizen ware, focusing on wine-colored surfaces and golden sesame glazes. He received the Asahi Prize at the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition in 1962. From 1963, he was selected for the Japan Kogei Exhibition consecutively, and in 1966, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association. He received the Kaneshige Toyo Prize in 1982. In 1997, his work was exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. In 2002, he was certified as an Okayama Prefecture Intangible Cultural Property holder. He passed away in 2003.
Awards: Recipient of the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Prize, Asahi Prize at the Contemporary Japanese Ceramics Exhibition, and many others / Served as a judge for the Prefectural Art Exhibition.