Bizen tea caddy

This Bizen tea caddy is the work of Intangible Cultural Property holder Yuichi Yamamoto, son of the legendary master craftsman Toshu Yamamoto. It is an exceptional piece that displays a rare, sublime kiln transformation, featuring a subtle scarlet hue combined with a magnificent ash-covered effect. The black-silver surface, which faintly reflects light, seems to further accentuate the beautiful spherical curves through the play of light. This tea caddy is a highly accomplished piece that befits Yuichi Yamamoto, who carries on the masterful techniques of his father, Toshu Yamamoto, a man renowned for his tea caddies. Signed wooden box (Shihozan, includes Shifuku silk pouch "Meibutsu Fujitane-donsu")
Diameter 7.3cm x Diameter 7.3cm x Height 8.3cm (including ivory lid) 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 ware. With a scientific and insatiable spirit of inquiry, he researched methods to turn "hidasuki" (scarlet fire-cord markings)—which often rely on chance—into intentional designs. He devised the "Himon" and "Hisai" techniques of artificial scarlet markings, using an extract boiled down from rice straw like paint to draw flowers and patterns on the clay body. 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 an introductory book for creators titled "Bizen Ware Techniques: Tradition and Creation." In 1996, he received the Tabe Museum Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition. That same year, he was designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holder.
Awards: Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Merit Award, Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition Grand Prize, and many others / Prefectural Exhibition Judge
Affiliations: Japan Kōgei Association, Bizen-yaki Toshinkai, Bigeikai, Gengakai, Kunpukai