Bizen sake bottle

This Bizen sake flask is a timeless masterpiece by Ken Fujiwara, an artist who combined boldness with meticulous precision. The "tsuchiaji" (texture and character of the clay) is magnificent; it is smooth and rich, showing a variety of colors that make it immediately clear that high-quality clay was used. The shiso-red to dark brown and black tones seem to express the very life force within the earth emerging through the firing process. The thick, rich "goma" (sesame ash glaze) is also superb, with the elegant scorched sesame enhancing the character of the clay. Much like eating a seasonal fish full of fat grilled simply with salt, this piece directly and elegantly brings out the inherent beauty of its materials. Original signed wooden box (shiho-zan) with lid.
Rim 3.6cm × Body diameter 9.7cm × Body diameter 9.6cm × Height 12.3cm; Capacity approx. 360cc Ken Fujiwara (1924–1977) began his career in ceramics in 1946 under his uncle, Kei Fujiwara, and also studied under Toyo Kaneshige and Sozan Kaneshige. Later, he studied tableware production techniques under Rosanjin Kitaoji in Kamakura before establishing his own kiln in 1956. Thereafter, he was selected for various exhibitions consistently. In 1970, he devised and built a large Bizen kiln using modern firebricks. He was designated a holder of an important intangible cultural property by the prefecture in 1973 and was also awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette. Although he was expected to become a leader who would shoulder the future of Bizen pottery, he passed away at the young age of 53.