Bizen sake bottle

This is a Bizen sake flask from the "Satoru era" by Masamune Toko, who captivated many by recreating the aesthetic of Old Bizen in a contemporary style. The rich, viscous purple "shiso" glaze shifts abruptly to a matte gray surface, a transition that reveals just how much Masamune-sensei loved Bizen clay through the flavor of this Old Bizen-style layered firing. Its substantial, slightly wide, potato-shaped form is majestic, yet it exudes a sense of generosity rather than a desire to show off technical skill. This is a work that allows us to trace the path of a potter who lived covered in clay, single-mindedly pursuing beauty. (Please note that there is a small chip on the rim, and while it shows almost no signs of use, it is a previous work.) Signed wooden box (double-crosspiece style)
Rim 3.3cm × Body diameter 10.0cm × Diameter 9.8cm × Height 14.1cm Capacity approx. 540cc Masamune Toko (Satoru) set his sights on the path of pottery at the suggestion of his grandfather, who worked at a kiln. After graduating from high school, he enrolled in the Bizen Pottery Center to learn the craft. In 1977, he built his own kiln in Inbe, Bizen City, and became an independent artist. He produced flower vases, flattened jars, and sake flasks, focusing primarily on wheel-thrown work characterized by an Old Bizen style. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1983. He was awarded the Grand Prize at the 1997 Exhibition of Yakishime Ceramics and the Excellence Award at the 2000 Exhibition of Ceramic Forms for Tea. He held solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo and Yokohama. In 2005, he changed his name to Masamune Toko. He passed away in November 2006 at the young age of 53.