Bizen-ware crane-neck sake bottle

This Bizen crane-neck sake bottle is by Takashi Soga, who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which Old Bizen pottery was fired. True to his respect for Old Bizen, Soga has fired carefully selected clay as if to age it within the flames, creating a moist, refined, and gentle texture. Reflecting his absolute confidence in the quality of his clay, Soga has employed a two-tiered "kabuse-yaki" (covered firing) technique on the shoulder and base, successfully drawing out two completely different landscapes from a single type of clay. The viscous, brownish-red hue of the body is the very essence of Bizen clay, and the minimal "ito-goma" (fine sesame-like ash markings) created during firing embody the simple, robust beauty of Old Bizen. Conversely, the "hi-dasuki" (fire-cord) portion created by the covering is conscious of "allure"; though not flashy, it possesses a rich, lingering depth. The slight "kuttsuki" (fused) marks on the covered section evoke a sense of wabi-sabi that blows through the heart, just like Old Bizen. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan) Rim 4.5cm x Body diameter 10.2cm x Body diameter 10.1cm x Height 16.5cm Capacity approx. 400CC Takashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984. He studied under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his kiln in Kuku-i, Bizen City in 2012. He became independent and began his pottery career in 2013.