Bizen ware square dish

This is a Bizen square plate by Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure and the great restorer of Bizen ware. It is a piece from his later years, dating from around 1945 to 1955, just before his final period, and brilliantly elevates the elegant aesthetic of the Momoyama period by incorporating it into his own style. It was fired face-down with other pieces stacked on its back, a technique that reflects the signature ingenuity of Toyo Kaneshige, who was known for his mastery of kiln-loading. It is an unadorned piece that embodies his stance of "doing nothing more than necessary," yet the inclusion of a single large potter's mark and a simple diagonal incised line creates a subtle, masterful touch that makes the vibrant *goma* (ash glaze) and the quality of the clay stand out all the more. The piece feels as though it is teaching us, "Do nothing more than necessary, for when you place the clay on the potter's wheel, you have already done what needs to be done." (Please note that there are a few chips on the rim.)

View blog post for a similar piece Box identified by Domyo (Shiho-zan style)
22.5cm diameter x 21.7cm diameter x 3.5cm height Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Inbe, Bizen City) was born the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen-yaki families. He studied under his father and rose to prominence for his handmade *hohin* (teapots). From the Taisho to the early Showa period, he conducted extensive research and succeeded in reviving the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen ware; it was during this time that he began using a potter's wheel and shifted his focus to the creation of tea ceramics. He deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and in the post-war period, he expanded his artistic range under the influence of figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. For these contributions, he is known as the restorer of Bizen ware. He was the first Bizen ware potter to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the government, and in 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as a summer lecturer at the University of Hawaii. In 1967, he gave a demonstration of his craft before Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun during their visit to Bizen.
Major awards include the Chugoku Cultural Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.