Bizen Master Drinker

This is a new Bizen ware large sake cup by Kosuke Kaneshige, the leader of the Kaneshige family and son of the late Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, the legendary restorer of Bizen ware. As a "large sake cup," it is sized between a teacup and a sake cup, making it perfect for shochu or sake, while also serving as a refined and compact teacup. The Bizen clay has excellent heat retention, so when filled with hot tea, the vessel itself warms up; combined with the rich, nuanced kiln-altered finish characteristic of the Kaneshige kiln, it offers the ultimate moment of relaxation. The piece features a finish with well-melted "hizen" (front-of-fire) goma (ash glaze) similar to that seen on tea bowls, with vibrant yellow ash glaze accenting the light brown surface. The well-melted ash glaze coats the rim, providing a very smooth mouthfeel. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.7cm × Diameter 7.5cm × Height 8.0cm Kosuke Kaneshige is the third son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Tokyo University of the Arts with a degree in sculpture in 1968 and completed his graduate studies there in 1970. He began presenting ceramic works in 1975, and after serving as a lecturer in the School of Letters at Tokai University, he returned to his hometown in 1977. He built a climbing kiln in 1982. He creates objects, tea ware, flower vases, tableware, and sake vessels. In 1991, he created the ceramic wall mural "Light and Wind" for the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Building in Okayama. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1994. In 1997, he exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He holds solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, and other locations. In 2012, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.