Colored Bizen Sake Cup

This is a painted Bizen sake cup by Anjin Abe, an artist who possesses profound insight and aesthetic sensibility regarding antique pottery, and who creates one-of-a-kind works through his original research and firing techniques. The piece features a boldly arranged iris flower, depicted on the Bizen clay through the use of color. The petals, which emerge in a pale cobalt blue, have a remarkably ephemeral quality that creates a stunning contrast with the powerful background adorned in gold and red. The size of the vessel, the "goma" (ash glaze), and the texture of the fired clay are all magnificent, representing a high-level fusion of painting and pottery. Signed wooden box (shiho-san, double box) included.
Diameter 6.5cm × Diameter 6.1cm × Height 6.4cm Anjin Abe was originally a Western-style painter. After collecting ceramics as a hobby, he felt a lack of satisfaction with contemporary Bizen ware and began working in ceramics in 1972 to create pieces that met his own standards. He frequently creates water jars, flower vases, flattened jars, bowls, sake bottles, and sake cups. All pieces are wheel-thrown and finished with a spatula. He bases his ceramic philosophy on Momoyama-period Bizen ware and is highly particular about his firing process. Furthermore, he is engaged in diverse expressive activities, presenting works that combine various materials and techniques, including ceramics, lacquer, oil painting, and bronze (mixed media). He holds solo exhibitions energetically both in Japan and internationally, including in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, and Paris.