Black Bizen sake cup

This is a new work by Sho Fujita, who studies various forms of art and fuses them into a singular expression of his own. This is Sho Fujita's Kuro-Bizen sake cup. By skillfully utilizing the drying process of the clay, the artist has created a surface texture that resembles a world map. By using a special type of clay that turns black during firing, the artist has succeeded in creating a refined, matte texture with no gloss, without the need for slip. The calculated placement of the "goma" (ash glaze) is magnificent; without being applied so heavily as to obscure the surface cracks, it deepens the fine, matte finish into something reminiscent of Kuro-Raku ware. Though slightly thick, the piece allows for full appreciation of its fine, earthen texture, and its smooth finish is a delight to the fingertips. Signed box to follow (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 7.8cm × Diameter 7.6cm × Height 5.6cm Sho Fujita was born in Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, in 1978. In 1987, he began four years of general art study under Western-style painter Kyoji Ono. In 1993, he spent three years studying drawing and design under Western-style painter Hisamitsu Yamauchi. He learned the fundamentals of ceramics from Yasuaki Kawasaki and Minoru Nakamura in 1997, and entered the Bizen Ceramic Center the following year in 1998. After completing his training there in 1998, he apprenticed under Bizen ware artist Kazuya Hashimoto for five years. He was selected for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition in 2003. In 2004, he became independent and held his first kiln firing. In 2006, he was selected for the 49th Japan Traditional Crafts Exhibition, Chugoku Branch. In the same year, he also submitted a piece to and was selected for the 23rd Tanabe Museum of Art "Chanoyu Modeling Exhibition."