Bizen sake bottle

This is a Bizen sake flask by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a devoted pupil of the Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara, who carries on his mentor's philosophy and artistic style. It is a work rich in scenery, featuring intense blue-gray "kase-goma" (dry sesame glaze) and fascinating scorched "goma" where each individual grain stands out. In the center, a deep, flavorful "hi-iro" (scarlet) firing mark emerges, which, combined with the plump and charming form, makes it look almost like a tanuki—utterly delightful. When pouring, it creates a pleasant "toku-toku" sound. (Please note that while this is a previous work, there are absolutely no signs of use.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Rim 3.6cm × Body diameter 9.4cm × Body diameter 9.4cm × Height 14.1cm Capacity: approx. 430cc Tadashi Yoshimoto became an apprentice to Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964 and studied under him for 19 years until the master's passing. In 1975, he built his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, and became independent. His first firing yielded pieces selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the East Chugoku Branch Exhibition; in 1986, he became a full member of the Japan Kōgeikai. He boasts an outstanding exhibition history, having been selected for and winning awards at the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, Tōshinkai Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Open Competition. He has also been active in holding solo exhibitions since 1977 at major department stores in cities such as Okayama, Fukuyama, Mihara, Hiroshima, Tottori, Yonago, Kumamoto, Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, all of which met with great acclaim. In 1988, he was honored with the Kaneshige Tōyō Prize. In 2007, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.