Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Yuichi Yamamoto, a holder of Intangible Cultural Property, whose father was the legendary master craftsman Toshu Yamamoto. Its unique black surface, evocative of shark or fish skin, is a testament to the "black sesame" (kuro-goma) glaze that is the hallmark of the Yamamoto Bizen style. The "nuke" (clear patch) inside the bowl, shielded from the ash, and the clay texture of the foot ring glow with a pink, copper-like luster, providing a beautiful contrast to the deep green and subdued black hues of the black sesame glaze. The thick "yellow sesame" (ki-goma) glaze draped inside the rim blends with the black surface to create a layered, two-tone effect of black and yellow.

Signed wooden box (shiho-zan)
Diameter 6.8cm × Diameter 6.8cm × Height 6.3cm

Yuichi Yamamoto is the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto and began his path in ceramics under his father in 1959. In 1968, he became the first to introduce a gas kiln to Bizen pottery. Driven by a scientific spirit of inquiry, he researched ways to transform "hidaski" (fire-cord) patterns—which often rely on chance—into intentional designs. He devised the "himon" and "hisai" techniques, using concentrated rice straw extract as a pigment to paint flowers and patterns onto the clay body to create artificial hidaski. He produces a wide range of works, including vases, tea utensils, jars, and large bowls. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1967. In 1995, he published "Techniques of Bizen Pottery: Tradition and Creation," an introductory book for makers. In 1996, he won the Tabe Museum Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition. That same year, he was recognized as a holder of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Awards: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Medal with Blue Ribbon, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Arts and Culture Merit Award, and the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition Grand Prize; served as a judge for the Prefectural Exhibition.
Affiliations: Japan Kōgei Association, Bizen Pottery Tōshinkai, Bigeikai, Gengakai, Kunpukai This is a Bizen sake cup by Yuichi Yamamoto, a holder of Intangible Cultural Property, whose father was the legendary master craftsman Toshu Yamamoto. Its unique black surface, evocative of shark or fish skin, is a testament to the "black sesame" (kuro-goma) glaze that is the hallmark of the Yamamoto Bizen style. The "nuke" (clear patch) inside the bowl, shielded from the ash, and the clay texture of the foot ring glow with a pink, copper-like luster, providing a beautiful contrast to the deep green and subdued black hues of the black sesame glaze. The thick "yellow sesame" (ki-goma) glaze draped inside the rim blends with the black surface to create a layered, two-tone effect of black and yellow. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan)
Diameter 6.8cm × Diameter 6.8cm × Height 6.3cm Yuichi Yamamoto is the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto and began his path in ceramics under his father in 1959. In 1968, he became the first to introduce a gas kiln to Bizen pottery. Driven by a scientific spirit of inquiry, he researched ways to transform "hidaski" (fire-cord) patterns—which often rely on chance—into intentional designs. He devised the "himon" and "hisai" techniques, using concentrated rice straw extract as a pigment to paint flowers and patterns onto the clay body to create artificial hidaski. He produces a wide range of works, including vases, tea utensils, jars, and large bowls. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1967. In 1995, he published "Techniques of Bizen Pottery: Tradition and Creation," an introductory book for makers. In 1996, he won the Tabe Museum Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition. That same year, he was recognized as a holder of Okayama Prefecture’s Important Intangible Cultural Property.
Awards: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Medal with Blue Ribbon, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Arts and Culture Merit Award, and the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition Grand Prize; served as a judge for the Prefectural Exhibition.
Affiliations: Japan Kōgei Association, Bizen Pottery Tōshinkai, Bigeikai, Gengakai, Kunpukai