Ibe Shuten

This is an Ibe sake cup by Tomio Ochi, who diligently focuses on firing his kiln under the guidance of Yasuhito Abe, pouring his still-unsatisfied aspirations into his pottery. The piece was slowly formed by hand-coiling, and when held, it possesses a profound sense of weight, making it feel as if the clay has been condensed to a high density. The generous application of yellow sesame glaze (kigo) and the moist-looking texture of the Ibe style further emphasize this quality. The yellow sesame glaze features crackling, which will become more pronounced with use, eventually acquiring a presence reminiscent of ancient ceramics. Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 7.3cm x 7.2cm x Height 5.2cm Tomio Ochi graduated from Ehime Prefectural Niihama Technical High School in 1949. In 1952, he moved to Tokyo to study oil painting and sculpture. Thereafter, while working at a company, he devoted himself to painting and sculpture. In 1997, he visited Yasuhito Abe in Ushimado, Setouchi City, Okayama Prefecture, to seek his mentorship, and in 1998, he built his own kiln in Ushimado, where he now creates Bizen ware, leveraging his background in sculpture and painting.