Hagi tea bowl

This Hagi tea bowl was created by Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara, who expanded his horizons beyond Japan to the world, sharing the appeal of Bizen ware far and wide. While Master Yu traveled across Japan and the world to promote Bizen ware, he also deepened friendships with artists from various pottery regions, and this work was fired at the kiln of the renowned Hagi master, Zenzo Hatano. One can enjoy both a face dominated by a loquat-colored glaze and another with a dark brown base layered with the distinct white of Hagi glaze. Even with a different type of pottery, Master Yu’s motto of a simple and clear style remains unchanged, resulting in a tea bowl with a sense of gravity and a powerful impact. (*Please note that because this is Hagi ware, it cannot hold water for long periods of time.) Box signed by Kimiko (shiho-san box) Diameter 11.4cm × Diameter 10.8cm × Height 8.3cm Master Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. In his pottery, he adhered to the motto of "simple, clear, and bold," and was known as "Yu of the Jars" for the many jars and bowls he produced. Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he was also adept at tableware. Starting in 1972, he held a series of themed exhibitions, including "One Hundred Jars," "Tokkuri (Sake Bottle) Exhibition," "One Hundred Flowers," and "One Hundred Bowls." He also produced many large-scale reliefs and objects. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1967. In 1980, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he became the first person in the pottery world to be designated as a nationally recognized holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure) as a second-generation successor to his father.
Major awards include: Toyo Kaneshige Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts, Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.