Bizen sake bottle

This is a Bizen sake bottle by Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure and the great restorer of Bizen ware. This piece showcases the sophisticated mastery of his later years; the undulations of the rim and the spatula carvings around the waist embody the dignified beauty characteristic of Kaneshige’s work. It is a piece that can be called the root of modern Bizen sake bottles, and true to its name, it pours sake with a delightful, rhythmic "toku-toku" sound. A single drop often lingers at the rim, and there is no greater pleasure than rubbing that drop into the scarlet-toned surface to admire its quality. With a well-balanced composition of sangiri (kiln change), goma (ash glaze), and the essence of the clay, it achieves a harmonious aesthetic even without overly dramatic kiln effects. Signed wooden box by Domyo (four-way cleat)
Rim 3.3cm × Body diameter 9.0cm × 8.9cm × Height 13.5cm, Capacity approx. 400cc




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Please feel free to contact us, and we will provide you with guidance on the payment method. Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Imbe, Bizen City) was born the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six noble families of Bizen. He studied under his father and first gained fame for his handmade teapots (hohin). From the Taisho to the early Showa period, he conducted extensive research, succeeding in recreating the authentic clay quality of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. Around that time, he began working with a potter's wheel and turned his attention to creating tea ceramics. He deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and after the war, he expanded his artistic range under the influence of Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. For these contributions, he is known as the restorer of Bizen ware. He was the first Bizen ware artist to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the Japanese government, and in 1964 and 1966, he was invited as a guest lecturer for the summer program at the University of Hawaii. In 1967, he gave a demonstration before the Emperor and Empress during their visit to Bizen.
Major awards: Chugoku Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.