Bizen Hidasuki Sake Bottle

This is a Bizen hidasuki sake bottle by Michiaki Kaneshige, who was born as the eldest son of Toyo Kaneshige and captivated everyone with a style that infused unique sensibilities into tradition. This piece dates from the early to middle period of Michiaki’s career and is a very rare example of a hidasuki sake bottle fired in an electric kiln. On the mugusa-colored clay surface, which is reminiscent of Sozan Kaneshige’s work, vibrant, unbroken scarlet cords are wrapped in every direction, creating a vivid impression that truly earns the description "ryoran" (flourishing/dazzling). It is a katatsuki-style (shouldered) bottle with a solid weight in the hand, featuring a dignified presence and a natural aesthetic characteristic of Michiaki, who established a world distinct from both Toyo and Sozan Kaneshige. (Please note that while there is almost no sign of use, this is a pre-owned work.) Original signed box (shiho-zan style)
Rim 3.3cm × Body diameter 9.1cm × Body diameter 9.0cm × Height 13.0cm　Capacity approx. 340cc Michiaki Kaneshige (1934–1995) was born in Inbe as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Craft Department of Kanazawa College of Art in 1955 and became a ceramic artist under the tutelage of his father, Toyo. He was selected for the Asahi Contemporary Ceramics Exhibition three consecutive times starting in 1957. He was also selected for the Nitten exhibition and toured various parts of the United States to observe ceramics in 1960. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1969 and received the Toyo Kaneshige Award in 1970. In 1973, he was recommended as a committee member for the Issuikai Ceramics Department, received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1980, and was officially designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1990. He specialized in tea ceremony ceramics and also worked on geometric-shaped bowls, among other pieces. He also exhibited his work in overseas exhibitions.