Bizen sake bottle

This is a Bizen sake flask by the internationally renowned master Zenji Urakami, a recipient of numerous honors and a holder of an Intangible Cultural Property designation. The piece features a silvery, moon-like *nuke* (area of clear glaze) combined with a sunrise-like scarlet *nuke*, creating a profound and mysterious aesthetic as if expressing both day and night on either side. To the side, a scarlet hue with gold accents rises like a flickering heat haze, while the *sangiri* (kiln-altered color) on the shoulder resembles a snowy landscape, suggesting a tension between fire and snow. The stately, poised form perfectly complements this mystical scenery without overshadowing it. Includes original signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Rim 3.9cm × Body diameter 9.5cm × Body diameter 9.5cm × Height 12.1cm; Capacity approx. 360cc Zenji Urakami (1914–2006) was born in Inbe and began his journey in ceramics under the tutelage of Shunko Nishimura. In 1935, he became a pupil of Japan Art Academy member Seibo Kitamura, studying sculpture, and went on to learn wood carving from Shin Naito and drawing from Saburo Okada and Sakujiro Okubo. He excelled in creating lifelike animal figurines, bronze statues, and ceramic wall reliefs rooted in realism. His notable works include the ceramic wall at Okayama Airport, the ceramic plaque of Grandmaster Oyama at the Kurashiki City Art Museum, the bronze bust of Toyo Kaneshige at the Bizen Ceramics Museum, and the ceramic statue of Kojima Takanori in Tsuyama City. In 1973, his ox figurine won a gold medal at the Le Salon 300th Anniversary Exhibition. In the same year, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.
He passed away in March 2006.
Awards: Recipient of numerous honors including the Okayama Prefectural Culture Award, Miki Memorial Award, France-Chagall Honorary Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, and the Grand Prix at the Salon de Paris exhibition, among others. Served as a jury member for the Prefectural Exhibition.