Bizen sake cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Yoshiteru Koriki, a popular young artist who was an apprentice to the master Sozan Kaneshige. It features the distinctive persimmon-like *kase* (matte) kiln transformation that makes it instantly recognizable as a work by Koriki. The *kase-goma* (matte sesame glaze) portion is surprisingly fine-grained, and when touched with the fingers, it feels incredibly soft, almost as if it has been dusted with powder. The body has a gentle form, while the foot is contrastingly sharp and dignified—a *warikodai* (split foot)—creating a fascinating gap between softness and strength. Original signed box (shiho-san)
Diameter 7.8cm × 7.5cm × Height 4.5cm Yoshiteru Koriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his father, who loved pottery, he aspired to pursue a career in ceramics. After graduating from high school, he studied under the master Sozan Kaneshige and his son Yuho Kaneshige starting in 1989 to learn the techniques of the craft. After seven years of training, he established his own climbing kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996 and successfully produced his first firing the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has held annual solo exhibitions ever since. In 1999, his work was selected for the "Exhibition of Confectionery Vessels from the North You Want to Use," and in 2002, it was selected for the "Exhibition of Tea Ceremony Forms" for the first time.