Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Sozan Kaneshige, renowned as the "uncrowned king." It features a charming egg-shaped form accented with "raiza" (mortar-shaped) lug handles. Both its firing and form set it apart from typical Sozan Bizen pieces, making it a unique sake cup. It carries a ritualistic atmosphere, much like a ceremonial vessel, and resembles a miniature vase. The piece is finished with a fire-cord (hidasuki) pattern layered over a red rather than a white base, creating a distinct yet deeply lustrous and beautiful aesthetic. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 7.2cm × Diameter 7.1cm × Height 6.3cm Sozan Kaneshige (1909–1995) was the younger brother of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, with whom he collaborated in pottery until around 1951. He was considered a leading figure in tea ceramics, specializing in Momoyama-style fire-cord (hidasuki) designs. In 1964, he established the Maruyama Kiln in the eastern suburbs of Okayama City, and in 1966, he garnered significant attention for his Momoyama-style hidasuki pieces fired in an electric kiln. He relocated to Inbe in 1982 to build the Ushigami-shita Kiln and was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1983. He received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, and the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class. He passed away in 1995.