Ibe Cup

This is an Ibe sake cup by Iwao Kaneshige, an artist who was born and raised in the prestigious Kaneshige family and who diligently continues his craft in the kiln where the great Toyo Kaneshige and Michiaki Kaneshige fired their works generation after generation. The simple composition, defined solely by the pure quality of the clay, is a style unique to Iwao-sensei, who places his complete trust in Bizen clay. The deeply expressive clay body, with its faint orange hue, is exceptionally fine-grained and promises to be a joy to use over time. This simple style, underpinned by a stoic approach, is something one can enjoy indefinitely without ever growing tired of it. Signed wooden box (double-crosspiece lid) Diameter 8.3cm × 8.0cm × Height 3.4cm Iwao Kaneshige is the eldest son of Michiaki Kaneshige. Born and raised in a family of Bizen ware potters, his own love for ceramics led him to pursue the path of a potter. He honed his techniques under the guidance of the Kaneshige family, went independent in 1995, and held his first solo exhibition at a gallery in Okayama. He has exhibited at the Kaneshige Family Exhibitions in 1999 and 2001.