Bizen Shu-Ha-Ri

This is a Bizen "Shuhari" (sake cup) by Kenji Takenaka, an artist who transitioned from jewelry design to ceramics and studied under Living National Treasure Jun Isezaki. It is an ambitious work that utilizes clay from the Sabo region of Bizen while boldly incorporating techniques from Oribe and Shino ware, truly befitting the name "Shuhari." This piece, created using both cobalt and Oribe glaze, features a blue-green landscape that resembles wet ore, presenting a complex hue that defies description. The form is not merely chamfered but rather composed of interlocking planes, creating a striking aesthetic reminiscent of stone masonry. Original signed wooden box to follow at a later date (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 6.9cm x Diameter 6.9cm x Height 5.3cm Kenji Takenaka was captivated by the medium of clay and transitioned into ceramics from a career in jewelry design. After completing his studies at the Bizen Pottery Center in 1986, he served there as an instructor for two years. He began his apprenticeship under Jun Isezaki in 1988 and became independent in 1994. In addition to traditional tea ceramics, sake vessels, tableware, and flower vases, he also creates highly innovative works. Through oxidation and reduction firing in an anagama kiln, he achieves diverse expressions through variations in red, white, and black coloration and the texture of the clay. He has received numerous awards, including the Okayama City Mayor's Award and the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Prefectural Exhibition, and has been selected for various other exhibitions. He has held solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Okayama, Kurashiki, and elsewhere.