Bizen Tokkuri

This is an earlier Bizen sake flask by Gyokusho Kimura, an artist known for his earnest approach to pottery and his distinct, powerful style. We have received this sake flask, which features the deep, nuanced kiln-altered glazes characteristic of Kimura-sensei, who primarily focuses on crafted sculptural works. Rather than just "rock," the surface resembles a rugged shoreline cliff carved out by crashing waves, covered in bumpy, raised patches of ash that have transformed into a greenish hue. The ash has been fired to the limit until it turned into a glass-like substance, further shifting into a vibrant vermilion. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan)
Rim 4.1cm x Body diameter 9.9cm x Body diameter 9.7cm x Height 12.0cm; Capacity 360cc Gyokusho Kimura is a descendant of the Kimura family, one of the six original Bizen pottery lineages, and is the eldest son of the renowned master craftsman, the 16th Kimura Sotoku. He majored in sculpture at Nagoya University of the Arts, graduating in 1967, and learned pottery from his father and sculpture from Shinya Nakamura, a sculptor and member of the Japan Art Academy. Using the advanced ceramic sculpting techniques inherited from his father, he has produced works such as "Fish of the Seto Inland Sea," "Birds of Okayama and Shikoku," and "Île de Setouchi." He successfully researched and revived white Bizen ware, which had declined during the mid-Edo period. Awards include multiple selections for the Nitten and Hakujitsukai exhibitions, as well as various prizes and selections in prefectural and unglazed pottery competitions. Affiliations: Japan Ceramic Sculpture Association, Japan Ceramic Engraving Association, Nitten, and Bizen Pottery Association.