Ibe bamboo lid rest

This is an Ibe bamboo-style lid rest by Michiaki Kaneshige, who was born as the eldest son of the esteemed Toyo Kaneshige and captivated audiences with a style that infused unique sensibilities into tradition. The clay texture, which features a magnificent gradation from the soft brown characteristic of Michiaki’s work to a reddish-purple, is nothing short of breathtaking. While I have seen many bamboo-style lid rests by Michiaki, this particular piece is crafted from a thick, short piece of bamboo, giving it a low and powerful presence. The meticulous detail in this work truly reflects Michiaki’s hallmark approach of crafting every piece with unwavering dedication. Original signed box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.0cm × Diameter 6.7cm × Height 4.4cm Michiaki Kaneshige (1934–1977) was born in Ibe as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Kanazawa College of Art’s Department of Crafts in 1955 and became a ceramic artist under the tutelage of his father, Toyo. Starting in 1957, he was selected for the Asahi Modern Ceramics Exhibition three consecutive times. He was also selected for the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1960, he toured various parts of the United States to observe ceramic arts. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1969 and received the Toyo Kaneshige Award in 1970. In 1973, he was appointed as a member of the Issuikai Ceramics Division. He was awarded the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1980 and was officially designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1990. While he excelled in tea ceramics, he also worked on geometrically shaped bowls and exhibited his works at overseas exhibitions.