Bizen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a devoted pupil of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara, who carries on his mentor's philosophy and artistic style. It features the signature style of the Fujiwara family, showcasing Mr. Yoshimoto’s characteristic brilliant, fine-grained, bluish *kase-goma* (matte sesame) glaze. The wide, straightforward shape is not only practical but also clearly reflects the ceramic philosophy of Kei Fujiwara, whom Mr. Yoshimoto deeply admired. The unique scarlet *botamochi* (mochi-shaped) highlights, a technique also mastered by Yu Fujiwara, pair perfectly with the deep, heavy purple clay base and the green tones of the *kase-goma*. Signed wooden box (double-slatted lid)
Diameter 8.2cm x Diameter 8.0cm x Height 5.8cm Tadashi Yoshimoto became an apprentice to Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964, studying under him for 19 years until his mentor's passing. In 1975, he established his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City. His debut kiln firing resulted in selections for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, leading to his appointment as a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1986. He boasts an illustrious career, with numerous selections and awards in exhibitions including the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, Tōshinkai Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramics Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Art Open Exhibition. He has also been highly active in holding solo exhibitions since 1977 at major department stores in cities including 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, and in 2007, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.