Colored Bizen Sake Cup

This is a painted Bizen sake cup by Anjin Abe, an artist who possesses profound insight into and a refined aesthetic sense for antique ceramics, creating one-of-a-kind works through his unique research and firing techniques. The blending of navy and gold colors creates a vivid, oil painting-like gold finish, effectively utilizing the difference in their thermal expansion rates. While it is a bold, colorful piece, the colors are completely hidden when viewed from the back, revealing a simple landscape of clay texture and "goma" (ash glaze), just like a traditional Bizen work. In the deep interior, dense "goma" drips down like droplets, appearing to emerge faintly when sake is poured in. Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for shipping)
Diameter 6.5cm × Diameter 6.0cm × Height 6.5cm Anjin Abe was originally a Western-style painter. He began collecting ceramics as a hobby, but feeling unsatisfied with contemporary Bizen ware, he started pottery in 1972 to create pieces that met his own standards. He frequently creates water jars, flower vases, flattened jars, bowls, sake bottles, and sake cups, all of which are wheel-thrown and finished with a spatula. He bases his pottery on Momoyama-period Bizen ware and is meticulous about his firing techniques. He also engages in diverse expressive activities, presenting works (mixed media) that combine various materials and techniques such as ceramics, lacquer, oil paint, and bronze. He holds solo exhibitions energetically both in Japan and abroad, including in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, and Paris.