Bizen Taiko-ishi Sake Cup

This Bizen Hi-dasuki (fire-cord) rope-patterned sake cup is by the prodigious talent Juro Harada, who was described by the great Bizen authority Matasaburo Katsura—with whom he studied old Bizen pottery—as having "frightening potential." Through Juro Harada’s intense kiln-firing process, in which he fires the pieces to the absolute limit, the natural glaze has melted into a gray, glass-like state, and the clay body has shifted to a chocolate color, creating a truly unique atmosphere. The embedded Taiko-seki stone has also melted, taking on a crystalline appearance; the black and white landscape of the Taiko-seki stone that Harada loved so much is truly captivating. The presence of the Taiko-seki stone can be felt in the palm of your hand, and it seems to contribute to the exquisite heft of the piece, which feels substantial yet not overly heavy. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 7.4cm x Diameter 7.3cm x Height 7.6cm Juro Harada began his career in ceramics in 1969 after working for a company following his graduation from Meiji University. He built an ana-gama kiln in 1971 and a climbing kiln the following year, committing himself fully to the craft. Starting in 1975, he studied old Bizen pottery by visiting ancient kiln sites under the guidance of the old Bizen researcher Matasaburo Katsura. In 1991, he built an ana-gama kiln on Mt. Amida in Ushimado. He creates jars, tea ceremony utensils, and leaf-shaped dishes, primarily using the coil-building technique, though he occasionally employs a potter's wheel. He has held active solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, and elsewhere. In 1983, he held a joint exhibition at the National Museum of Australia with Kenji Funaki of Fushina ware. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2000. In 2002, his work was exhibited at and acquired by the Museum of Modern Ceramic Art, Gifu, for its opening commemorative exhibition. In 2005, his work was acquired by the New Orleans Museum of Art in the United States.