Bizen tea bowl

This Bizen tea bowl is the work of Masamine Kakure, who carved out his own unique path after being mentored by the masters of modern ceramics. Created using the coil-building technique, it possesses a large, dynamic appearance, yet is thoughtfully shaped to fit comfortably in the hands. While retaining the boldness of the coiling process, sharp edges have been added through chamfering, and the two-tiered interior allows light reflections to highlight the delicate marks left by the carving tool. The inside of the foot ring features a wood-grain pattern—a technique favored by his close friend, the late fourth-generation Kazan—making this piece a masterful showcase of Masamine's artistic sensibility, skill, and playfulness. Signed wooden box (shiho-san type)
Diameter 12.7cm x Diameter 12.5cm x Height 9.0cm Masamine Kakure began his studies in 1935 at the Okayama Prefectural Craft School (now Okayama Technical High School), where he learned maki-e lacquerware from Jinsai Nanba. After the war, he was deeply moved by the style of Toyo Kaneshige and, having received instruction in creating houhin (tea pots), embarked on a career in ceramics. He also studied under Toshu Yamamoto. Free from the constraints of traditional Bizen ware, he created a diverse range of expressions, including "e-Bizen" (painted Bizen) and "kinsai-Bizen" (gold-decorated Bizen) utilizing his maki-e techniques, "jomon-Bizen" (rope-patterned Bizen) on red clay without kiln-altered colors, "oni-Bizen" (fierce, heavily kiln-altered Bizen), and works with the texture of Sue pottery. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1969 and was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefectural Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1980. In 1997, he exhibited his work at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He was also an enthusiast of painting, calligraphy, and tanka poetry, having already published four collections of poems. Kazan Matsuda was his brother-in-law.
Awards: Numerous, including the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Minister of Education Award for Encouragement, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold and Silver Rays, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, and Miki Memorial Award. Served as a member of the prefectural exhibition judging committee.