Ibe Cup

This Ibe sake cup is the work of Iwao Kaneshige, who was born and raised in the prestigious Kaneshige family and has been diligently honing his craft at the kiln where his legendary predecessors, Toyo Kaneshige and Michiaki Kaneshige, fired their pieces for generations. Even within a lineage with such a long, unbroken history, this piece possesses the simple, poetic atmosphere that is uniquely characteristic of Iwao. It is completely devoid of any kiln-altered glaze, as if pleading for the viewer to look only at the clay itself. Having eschewed the artistic expression that comes from ornamentation, the gentle lingering essence of the artist that remains is quintessentially Iwao. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.7cm × Diameter 7.5cm × Height 3.4cm Iwao Kaneshige is the eldest son of Michiaki Kaneshige. Born and raised in a family of Bizen pottery artists, his love for ceramics led him to pursue the path of a potter. After refining his skills under the guidance of the Kaneshige family, he became independent in 1995 and held his first solo exhibition at a gallery in Okayama. He participated in the Kaneshige Family Exhibitions in 1999 and 2001.