Ibe Tokkuri

This is an Bizen sake bottle by Sozan Kaneshige, renowned as the "uncrowned king." It is a magnificent piece featuring deep, flavorful kiln transformation and scarlet coloring that clearly reflects the meticulous firing process. The form, with its unhurried rhythm, captures the quintessential charm of Sozan’s work in the gentle swell of the rim and body. The delicate scarlet hue, possible only through the careful selection of clay, will surely evolve into an exquisite color with use. (Please note that there are very slight signs of use.) Signed wooden box (shiho-zan) Rim 3.5cm x Body diameter 8.2cm x 8.1cm x Height 12.6cm, Capacity approx. 300cc Sozan Kaneshige (1909–1995) was the younger brother of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, with whom he worked until around 1951. He was a master of the Momoyama-style hidasuki (scarlet fire cord) technique and was considered a leading figure in tea ceramics. In 1964, he established the Maruyama Kiln in the eastern suburbs of Okayama City, and in 1966, he caused a stir with his announcement of Momoyama-style hidasuki fired in an electric kiln. He moved to Ibe in 1982 to establish the Ushigami-shita Kiln, and in 1983, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the prefecture. He received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class. He passed away in 1995.