Bizen Sake Cup

This is a new Bizen sake cup by Jumpei Kaneshige, the eldest son of Kosuke Kaneshige, the leading figure of the Kaneshige family. The artist adheres to traditional clay preparation methods, refining the clay by hand rather than using a water-elutriation process or a pug mill, and letting it age for several years before use. By carefully firing this meticulously prepared clay, he achieves a kiln transformation that possesses both intensity and elegance; in particular, linear patterns known as *kumadori* (shading) have emerged along the interface with the clay. Perhaps blessed by the kiln gods, this piece exhibits an extraordinarily unique clay texture born from subtle temperature variations. The ash-covered side has a well-fired, yellowish clay finish, transitioning through a glowing, flushed scarlet in the center to a soft orange firing and *kase-goma* (dull sesame glaze) on the other side, resulting in a piece that seems to encompass the entire spectrum of Kaneshige clay textures. Signed wooden box (shiho-san) included
Diameter 7.4cm x Diameter 7.2cm x Height 5.4cm Jumpei Kaneshige was born in Komaba, Tokyo, in 1972 as the eldest son of Kosuke Kaneshige. He graduated from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Waseda University in 1994. In 2000, he completed a graduate program in sculpture at Long Island University in New York, USA, and upon returning to Japan, he studied under his father, Kosuke Kaneshige.