Bizen Tsurukubi Hanaire

This is a *tsurukubi* (crane-neck) flower vase by Shusaku Taku, an artist who shapes his work by fermenting the various daily inspirations of life into forms, drawing close to the Bizen ware tradition that has matured alongside the ceaseless activities of people throughout history. Departing from his usual coil-building style, this piece showcases a fluid, curvilinear beauty achieved through wheel-throwing. The difficult-to-balance neck and the swell of the body are in magnificent harmony, creating a lovely and charming appearance when flowers are arranged in it. Its size is also appealing for versatile use, such as storing sake or other beverages with a cork stopper. The clean, sharp, curvilinear aesthetic combined with the deep, slightly orange-tinted *hidasuki* (fire-cord) markings is truly wonderful.

Interview with Shusaku Taku No box
Diameter 11.1cm × 11.1cm × Height 20.9cm Shusaku Taku was born in 1980 as the eldest son of Mamoru Taku. In 2001, he graduated from the Arita College of Ceramics in Saga Prefecture and began his apprenticeship under his father. In 2002, he received the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education Superintendent's Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Chugoku Branch Exhibition. In 2004, he won the Excellence Award at the Tanabe Art Museum Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition. In addition, his work has been selected for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Kogei Chugoku Branch Exhibition.