Bizen sake bottle

This Bizen sake bottle is by Tozo Konishi, a potter who captures the hearts of many with a unique style backed by solid technique, born as the grandson of the master craftsman Toko Konishi. It features a "rakkyo" (scallion) shape, with a neck shorter than that of a crane-neck style and a rounded body. The sharp sculpting of the rim is a hallmark of Tozo-sensei, and this single detail gives the entire piece a very taut, refined look. The clay has a deep reddish hue accented by understated "goma" (ash glaze), resulting in a work that exudes the dignity of a veteran artisan. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Rim 3.7cm x Body diameter 9.3cm x Body diameter 9.3cm x Height 13.0cm Capacity: approx. 320cc Tozo Konishi is the grandson of the first Toko Konishi. After graduating from university in 1970, he taught himself pottery. He was selected for the Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition four consecutive times starting in 1971, and became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1974. He built his kiln in 1975 and held his first firing the following year. He creates vases, tableware, sake vessels, and tea utensils, using techniques such as the potter's wheel, hand-building, and slab-building to express the evidence of his existence. In 1997, his work was exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He received the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Incentive Award in 2003 and holds solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Nagoya, and other locations.