Bizen-yaki Ayu (Sweetfish) Plate

This is a Bizen ayu (sweetfish) plate by Junpei Kaneshige, the eldest son of Kosuke Kaneshige, the leading figure of the Kaneshige family. As the name suggests, it is perfect for serving grilled fish, but it could also be used to arrange Japanese sweets at regular intervals for an interesting effect. Rather than simply forming the clay into a rectangle, the artist has meticulously refined the surfaces and edges with a spatula, infusing the entire piece with his careful attention to detail. The well-fired, dry yellow sesame glaze is scattered across the piece, embodying the refined, weathered aesthetic characteristic of Bizen ware, which is so desirable in tableware. By wetting the piece before or during use, you can enjoy the changing earthiness of the clay, which is the true delight of Bizen pottery; it is truly a "beautiful vessel" that reliably supports any dish and elevates the dining table. Paper box
28.3cm x 9.9cm, 1.7cm high Junpei Kaneshige was born in Komaba, Tokyo, in 1972 as the eldest son of Kosuke Kaneshige. He graduated from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Waseda University in 1994. In 2000, he completed a graduate program in sculpture at Long Island University in New York, USA, and after returning to Japan, he studied under his father, Kosuke Kaneshige.