Bizen sake cup

This Bizen sake cup is by the Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara, who broadened his horizons beyond Japan to the world to share the appeal of Bizen ware. This piece dates from his early to middle period, before he was designated as a Living National Treasure. It features a smooth, fine-grained clay with a moist and soft *hidasuki* (fire-cord) pattern. The wide, expansive form is deeply evocative, capturing the simplicity and clarity that define Fujiwara's charm. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Diameter 7.5cm × Diameter 7.2cm × Height 5.5cm Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. In his pottery, he followed the motto of "simplicity, clarity, and boldness," and because he produced many jars and bowls, he was known as "Yu of the Jars." Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he was also highly skilled in creating tableware. Starting in 1972, he held a series of exhibitions, including the "100 Jars Exhibition," "Tokkuri (Sake Bottle) Exhibition," "100 Flowers Exhibition," and "100 Bowls Exhibition." He also created numerous large-scale reliefs and objects. In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated as a holder of an important intangible cultural property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he became the first person in the history of the ceramic arts world to follow in his parent's footsteps as a nationally designated Living National Treasure.
Major awards include: The Tosho Kaneshige Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Award for Fine Arts, Academia Art and Culture Grand Prize, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.