Iga ware flattish sake bottle

This is an Iga clay flattened sake flask (tokkuri) by Motoo Kaneshige, who continues to create ceramics in Mie Prefecture and is the fourth son of the great restorer of Bizen ware, the late Toyo Kaneshige. This piece bears the traces of the flattened sake flasks once crafted by his father, Toyo Kaneshige; its low, oval-shaped body and slightly tilted neck give it a charming appearance. Typical of Iga ware, the scarlet hue of the clay peeks through the crevices of the well-fired white kiln changes. As you stroke the warm texture of the clay, which brings to mind the fire of a hearth, you can almost hear the crackling sound of pine resin popping. (Please note that there are kiln adhesion marks on the bottom and sides.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san box)
Rim 3.8cm × Body diameter 11.6cm × Body diameter 9.6cm × Height 11.1cm Capacity approx. 350cc Motoo Kaneshige is the fourth son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige and was born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture in 1945. He graduated from the Musashino Art University Department of Industrial Design, majoring in Craft and Industrial Design in 1968. In 1993, he created and fired pottery at the Ryugo Kiln (the studio of Atsushi Kawakita, grandson of Handeishi Kawakita). In 1999, he served as a panelist for the Musashino Art University regional forum "Art & Design." He moved to Misugi-mura, Ichishi-gun, Mie Prefecture in 2001, and the following year, he built an anagama kiln using self-made sun-dried bricks. In 2003, he fired unglazed works using Iga clay. Between 1995 and 2000, he exhibited ceramic works in group exhibitions and has held numerous solo exhibitions in various locations.