Bizen Horseback Sake Cup

This Bizen *bajohai* (cavalry cup) is an ageless masterpiece by the late Ken Fujiwara, a master artisan who possessed both boldness and meticulousness. The viscous, soft, brown texture of the clay is the ultimate proof of its high quality, offering a flavor that is irresistible to any Bizen enthusiast. The exterior features a simple, clean clay finish as its protagonist, while the interior is adorned with a magnificent *hidasuki* (fire-cord) pattern inherited from the master Toyo Kaneshige. Although it is a piece composed solely of clay with no special embellishments, it serves as a lesson from Fujiwara-sensei that for Bizen ware, that is more than enough. Signed wooden box (with four-directional frame lid)
Diameter 6.5cm × Diameter 6.3cm × Height 6.2cm Ken Fujiwara (1924–1977) began his pottery career in 1946 under his uncle, Kei Fujiwara, and also studied under masters Toyo Kaneshige and Sozan Kaneshige. Later, he learned tableware production techniques under Rosanjin Kitaoji in Kamakura, and in 1956, he became independent and built his own kiln. Thereafter, his works were consistently selected for various exhibitions. In 1970, he devised and built a large Bizen kiln using modern firebricks. In 1973, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by the prefecture and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class. Although he was expected to be a leader who would carry the next generation of Bizen pottery, he passed away at the young age of 53.