Bizen sake cup

This is a previous Bizen sake cup by Izuru Yamamoto, who utilizes his experience in sculpture to pursue a new sense of sculptural beauty within a traditional style. Because of its orthodox form, the brilliance of the gold-colored accents is further emphasized. Centered around the silvery *hidasuki* (fire-cord) markings, the entire surface has a radiant sheen as if coated in platinum. The differences in the texture of the clay across various parts of the piece are accentuated by the gold tones, and the *shiso* (perilla) color around the foot and the copper-like hue of the rim are endlessly captivating to behold. Signed wooden box (double-frame lid)
Diameter 6.6cm x Diameter 6.4cm x Height 5.9cm Izuru Yamamoto is the fourth son of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto. After graduating from the Musashino Art University Department of Sculpture in 1967 and the advanced course the following year, he studied sculpture at the École nationale supérieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris for two years. Upon returning to Japan in 1970, he apprenticed under his father and entered the world of ceramics, establishing his own kiln in 1975. He creates works utilizing techniques he developed himself, such as *tatakikomi* (beating-in), *shussai* (Yamamoto-style coloring), and *tsumiage* (stacking clay slabs). He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1979. In 1980, he received the Encouragement Award at the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition. He received the Kaneshige Toyo Prize in 1985. In 1997, he received the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. In 2002, at the Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition, his "Stacked Vase," created using clay mixed with soil from Burgundy, France, won the Tanabe Museum of Art Grand Prize. In 2012, he was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property.