Ibe Yohen Sake Cup

This is a newly fired Bizen yohen sake cup by Iwao Kaneshige, an artist who has been diligently honing his craft in the kiln passed down through generations—a lineage that includes the great Toyo Kaneshige and Michiaki Kaneshige—having been born and raised in the prestigious Kaneshige family. Overflowing with the sensibility of Iwao Kaneshige, who avoids ostentation or contrived "goma" (ash glaze) effects, this piece embodies a new style of "yohen" (kiln change) that is simple, quiet, and serene. It features no unnecessary flourishes, focusing instead on the texture of the clay, with its exposed, raw surface offering a soft tactile quality that is its sole and greatest characteristic. Finished with a "wari-kodai" (split foot), it exudes a sense of playful creativity. It is a luxurious piece that allows you to enjoy a variety of changes in the scarlet "hi-iro" and earthy "tsuchi-aji," letting you appreciate the subtly lustrous ash glaze while savoring the gradual transformation of the scarlet hues. Signed wooden box (double-slatted lid)
Diameter 5.9cm × Diameter 5.9cm × Height 6.4cm Iwao Kaneshige is the eldest son of Michiaki Kaneshige. Born and raised in a family of Bizen pottery artists, his passion for ceramics led him to pursue the path of a potter. He polished his skills under the guidance of the Kaneshige family, became 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.