Bizen Yohen Beer Mug

This is a freshly fired Bizen beer tumbler by Iwao Kaneshige, who was born and raised in the prestigious Kaneshige family and has been diligently honing his craft at the kiln where the great Toyo Kaneshige and Michiaki Kaneshige fired their works for generations. These beer tumblers feature a simple finish that highlights the raw quality of the clay that Master Iwao prefers, and each piece is uniquely playful, with variations such as attached lugs or pouring spouts at the rim. Having been fired in a spot within the kiln that captured the kiln transformation (yohen), they are inscribed as "yohen" on the accompanying boxes. For this reason, the artist used his deeply carved "i" ceramic seal, which is less likely to be obscured by falling ash. Signed wooden box (two-way crossbar construction)
Diameter 6.3cm x 6.2cm x Height 12.3cm Master Iwao Kaneshige is the eldest son of Master Michiaki Kaneshige. Born and raised in a family of Bizen ware artists, his love for pottery led him to pursue the path of a ceramicist. After refining his skills under the guidance of the Kaneshige family, he went independent in 1995 and held his first solo exhibition at a gallery in Okayama. He participated in the Kaneshige Family Exhibitions in 1999 and 2001.