Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara, who expanded his horizons beyond Japan to the world, spreading the charm of Bizen ware far and wide. It features the fine, matte "kase-goma" (dry sesame-like ash glaze) that adheres to the surface—a signature of Fujiwara's work—with the green of the kase matching the deep, heavy "shiso" (perilla) color of the clay. "Botamochi" (circular markings) are arranged on the front and in the interior, avoiding the kase-goma to ensure a smooth texture against the lips. The spacious interior, suiting the large form, reveals a clay quality reminiscent of a rich, mellow wine. Original wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 6.9cm × Diameter 6.9cm × Height 6.2cm Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. His motto for pottery was "simple, clear, and bold," and he was often called "Yu of the Jars" for the many jars and bowls he produced. Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he was also skilled at creating tableware. From 1972, he held a series of exhibitions, including the "100 Jars Exhibition," "Tokkuri (Sake Bottle) Exhibition," "100 Flowers Exhibition," and "100 Bowls Exhibition." He also created many large-scale reliefs and objects. In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a holder of an important intangible cultural property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he became the first person in the pottery world to follow in his parent's footsteps as a nationally designated holder of an important intangible cultural property (Living National Treasure).
Major awards include the Toyo Kaneshige Prize, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Encouragement Award and Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology's Art Encouragement Prize, Academia Art and Culture Grand Prize, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.