Cooling-down water

This is a Bizen water cooler (yusamashi) by the master craftsman Furo Ishii, who supported Bizen ware through its difficult times and led it to its current prosperity. This piece stands at a turning point, marking the transition from a period of great success to a time of decline, and the subsequent recovery that leads to the contemporary Bizen ware we see today. The calm, refined texture of the clay is accented by subtle "goma" (ash glaze), reflecting the shift toward more efficient firing techniques of that era. It is slightly taller than a standard water cooler, giving it a dignified presence, and it would also make an intriguing, large-sized katakuchi sake cup. (*Please note: this item shows signs of use and soiling.) Signed wooden box (double-slatted lid)
Diameter including spout 9.7cm x diameter 8.5cm x height 5.2cm Furo Ishii was a Prefectural Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property and was renowned as a master of tea ceramics and ornate carvings. His "Heart Sutra Hobin," a teapot carved with the Heart Sutra a thousand times, was a labor of love that took over a decade to complete. In his later years, he focused on red Raku tea bowls, eventually perfecting his own style of red-fired ware.