Bizen Yohen Syuhai

This is a Bizen yohen sake cup by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a devoted pupil of the Bizen ware Living National Treasure, Kei Fujiwara, who carries on his philosophy and artistic style. The ash-covered surface, which has turned a beautiful mouse-gray, is moist and fine-grained, resulting in an exceptionally rare and well-executed finish. A highlight is the spacious, relaxed interior, characteristic of Yoshimoto-sensei, who inherited the philosophy of the sake-loving Kei Fujiwara. The stately foot, typical of the Fujiwara school, is also magnificent; the foot, dyed in shades of mouse-gray and yellow, is a delight to behold. (Please note that although this is a slightly older work, there are almost no signs of use.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter 7.1cm × Height 5.8cm Tadashi Yoshimoto became a live-in apprentice to Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964. He studied under Fujiwara-sensei for 19 years until his mentor's passing. In 1975, he built his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, and became independent. His first firing was selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1986. He boasts an outstanding artistic career, with numerous selections and awards in the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, Toshinkai Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Open Competition. He has also actively held solo exhibitions since 1977 at department stores in Okayama, Fukuyama, Mihara, Hiroshima, Tottori, Yonago, Kumamoto, Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and elsewhere, receiving great acclaim. In 1988, he was honored with the Kaneshige Toyo Prize. In 2007, he was designated as a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property.