Bizen sake cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a devoted pupil of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara, who carries on his philosophy and artistic style. It is heavily and beautifully fired, with a rich, shiso-colored earthy texture enhanced by a luster that perfectly captures the "Fujiwara Bizen" aesthetic. The unique *botamochi* (rice cake) mark, resembling a setting sun, successfully creates a striking visual impact while also protecting the drinking edge from the roughness of the rim. A similar round *botamochi* mark is featured in the interior, faithfully inheriting the timeless flavor of the Fujiwara Bizen tradition. Original signed wooden box (with two-way lid brace)
Diameter 7.2cm × Diameter 7.2cm × Height 5.3cm Tadashi Yoshimoto became an apprentice to Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964, studying under him for 19 years until Fujiwara's passing. In 1975, he built his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, and became independent. His first firing saw pieces selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1986. He boasts an exceptional career, having been selected for and won awards at the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, the Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition, the Toshinkai Exhibition, the Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, the Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, the Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Open Exhibition, among others. He has also been active in holding solo exhibitions since 1977 at various department stores in Okayama, Fukuyama, Mihara, Hiroshima, Tottori, Yonago, Kumamoto, Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo, and elsewhere, which have been met with great acclaim. In 1988, he was honored with the Kaneshige Toyo Award. In 2007, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.