White slip sake cup

This is a white-slip guinomi (sake cup) by the renowned master Sozan Kaneshige, widely celebrated as the "uncrowned king." Bearing a crane-in-flight seal beside the potter's mark, this white-slip piece was crafted at the Kakuzan Kiln of the Oomoto religious organization. It features an impressively large and bold form, with a triangular-flaring rim carved with vertical lines, reminiscent of an akoda (pumpkin-shaped) vessel. The waist is also etched with fine horizontal lines like thread marks, which, combined with the aforementioned triangular design, give it the appearance of a rocket thruster. It has been well-used, and the intensely aged crackle glaze gives it the appearance of an ancient Joseon dynasty piece. (*Please note that this item shows some signs of use.) With a wooden storage box signed by Yuho (shiho-san style).
Diameter 7.5cm × Diameter 7.3cm × Height 5.8cm Sozan Kaneshige (1909–1995) was the younger brother of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, with whom he collaborated until around 1951. He excelled in the Momoyama-style hidasuki (fire-cord) technique and was considered a leading figure in tea ceramics. In 1964, he established the Maruyama Kiln in the eastern suburbs of Okayama City, and in 1966, he caused a stir by presenting Momoyama-style hidasuki works created in an electric kiln. In 1982, he moved to Imbe and built the Ushigami-shita Kiln, and in 1983, he was designated as a holder of an important intangible cultural property by the prefecture. He received the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs Award, the Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Fourth Class, Gold Rays with Rosette. He passed away in 1995.