Bizen ware sake cup

This Bizen sake cup (choko) is the work of Yoshinobu Morimoto, an artist with an exceptional aesthetic sense who is constantly evolving in his approach to clay, firing, and form. It is slightly smaller than a standard sake cup, giving it an elegant presence. By combining intense firing with subtle kiln transformations (yohen) and a sweet, earthy quality, the piece is adorned with a rich landscape of textures that promises a wonderful patina as it is used, a delightful trait for a sake vessel. The earthy base with its faint scarlet hues is complemented by a withered, crusty ash glaze and accented by stone inclusions (ishihaze)—a deeply impressive and calculated landscape characteristic of Yoshinobu Morimoto, who is passionate about researching old Bizen ware. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 6.9cm × 6.2cm × Height 4.6cm Yoshinobu Morimoto was born in Okayama Prefecture in 1976. He completed his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1996. After working independently, he held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2004. Since then, he has held annual solo exhibitions across Japan, primarily in Tokyo. He was selected for the Tanabe Museum of Art’s "Tea Ceremony Art Exhibition" in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In 2008, he participated in the "Contemporary Sake Vessel Exhibition" at Nihombashi Mitsukoshi, Tokyo, and in 2009, he exhibited in the "Contemporary Tea Bowl Exhibition" at the same venue. He continues to hold solo exhibitions in various locations, including a featured exhibition at Tenmaya in Okayama in 2010.