Bizen tea cup

This is a Bizen ware tea cup by the late Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure and the great restorer of Bizen ware. The "To" (ト) mark is thick and short, indicating this is a piece from his very final years, around the late 1950s. The clay—of the highest quality—has a bright caramel-brown finish, accented by an elegant yellow sesame glaze; the overall texture and aesthetic are bright and refreshing, showcasing the quintessential style of Toyo Kaneshige that only his final works could capture. A remarkable stone inclusion (ishihaze) on the base provides a wonderful accent, a characteristic touch by Kaneshige, who viewed such imperfections as charming "dimples" in his otherwise spectacular work.

View blog post about this houhin teapot Box identified by Kosuke (Shiho-san box included)
Diameter 8.2cm x Diameter 8.0cm x Height 9.8cm Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Imbe, Bizen City) was born the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen ware families. He studied under his father and initially gained fame for his handmade teapots (houhin). From the Taisho to the early Showa period, he conducted extensive research and successfully recreated the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. Around that time, he began using a potter's wheel and dedicated himself to creating tea ceremony ceramics. He deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and in the post-war era, his artistic range expanded through the influence of Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. For these contributions, he is known as the restorer of Bizen ware. He was the first Bizen ware potter to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property; he was invited as a guest lecturer at the University of Hawaii in 1964 and 1966. In 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration for Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun during their visit to Bizen.
Major awards include: Chugoku Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.