Bizen Yohen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen kiln-change (yohen) sake cup by Takashi Baba, an artist born in Inbe who has loved Bizen ware since childhood and finds his life's joy in creating works and firing kilns. Fired with the intention of achieving ash-covered (haikaburi) effects, the piece features kiln-change colors of reddish-purple and gray throughout. It possesses a presence that feels like a cross between Shigaraki and Bizen ware, with the ash having melted well in the circular unglazed spots to form glassy crystals that serve as accents. To ensure the form stands up to the dramatic kiln-change, Master Baba has employed his signature tripod split base (mitsua-shi wari-kodai), bringing a sense of unity to the lively style. (Please note in advance that there is some peeling of the clay surface due to fusion during firing.) Signed wooden box (lid with two cross-pieces)
Diameter 7.9cm x 7.7cm x Height 6.0cm Takashi Baba was born in 1983 as the eldest son of Bizen ware artist Shosuke Baba. Thinking from a young age that he would become a potter, he chose to study sculpture at university to broaden the scope of his ceramic art. After graduating from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts in 2006, he entered the Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture to hone his skills. He became independent in 2007 and held his first solo exhibition. He is currently active, primarily holding solo exhibitions at department stores.