Ibe Shuten

This is an Ibe sake cup by Michiaki Kaneshige, born as the eldest son of the master Toyo Kaneshige, who captivated everyone with a style that incorporated his own unique sensibility into tradition. This is a piece from his middle period, characterized by a relaxed yet firmly rhythmic form. The design of the foot, carved sharply on the outside and gently on the inside, is a wonderful expression of the rhythm of Michiaki Bizen. Overall, it has a dry, matte finish that feels wonderfully smooth and pleasant to the touch. It appears to have been fired while placed over the neck of a sake bottle or similar vessel, resulting in dry yellow sesame glaze (kama) on the foot and a subdued fire-cord (hidasuki) pattern inside. (Please note that there are slight signs of use.) Signed wooden box (double-crosspiece)
Diameter 6.5cm × Diameter 6.3cm × Height 5.4cm Michiaki Kaneshige (1934–1995) was born in Inbe as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Kanazawa College of Art in 1955, majoring in crafts. He studied pottery under his father, Toyo, and became a ceramic artist. From 1957, he was selected for the Asahi Modern Ceramic Art Exhibition three years in a row. He was also selected for the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1960, he toured various parts of the United States to observe ceramic art. In 1969, he became a regular member of the Japan Kogei Association, and in 1970, he received the Toyo Kaneshige Award. He was appointed as a member of the Issuikai Ceramic Art Division in 1973, received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1980, and was officially designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1990. He excelled at tea ceramics and also created works with geometric forms, such as bowls. His works were also exhibited in overseas exhibitions.