Bizen ware horse-riding cup

This is a Bizen ware mounted cup by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a devoted pupil of the late Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara, who carries on his philosophy and artistic style. It features the "kase-goma" (matte-textured sesame glaze) that is characteristic of the Fujiwara family’s signature style, rendered here with a striking, deep bluish hue and a refined texture. The "botamochi" (circular marking) applied to the rim and the tactile quality of the clay in the interior reveal a faint, elegant hint of scarlet, suggesting it will age beautifully with use. Although it is a mounted cup, the form is straightforward and approachable, typical of Yoshimoto’s work, making it perfect for casual use as a stylish sake cup with a distinctive foot. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan style)
Diameter 6.9cm x 6.7cm x Height 6.8cm Tadashi Yoshimoto became a live-in apprentice to Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964 and studied under him for 19 years until the master's passing. He established his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1975. In his debut kiln firing, he had works selected for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1986. He boasts a distinguished career, with selections and awards from the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, Eastern Chugoku Branch Exhibition, Toshinkai Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Open Competition, among others. He has also been 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 were met with great acclaim. In 1988, he was honored with the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, and in 2007, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.