Bizen sake cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure and the great restorer of Bizen ware. Produced during the latter part of the Tsuchi-jidai (clay period), it represents the transition from hand-sculpted pieces to wheel-thrown work. The firing is characteristic of the origins of modern Bizen ware, featuring a lovely, rich, brownish clay texture adorned with bright yellow sesame-colored ash glaze (yellow goma). The foot is a traditional 'himokiri' flat base, and features such as the plum crest carved into the interior and the characters for "Seijo" (purity) on the front offer a unique perspective on Toyo’s work, distinct from his later years. With its calm appearance and the gentle craftsmanship of the entire piece, including the foot, this sake cup offers a dignified Toyo creation that can be enjoyed in a relaxed manner without feeling overly formal. Boxed and identified by Kosuke (with four-directional crosspiece) Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter 6.6cm × Height 3.4cm Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Ibe, Bizen City) was the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, a member of a branch family of the Kaneshige clan, one of the six traditional Bizen pottery families. He studied under his father and first gained acclaim for his handmade teapots (hōhin). From the Taisho to early Showa periods, he conducted extensive research and succeeded in reproducing the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen. Around that time, he began using the potter's wheel and shifted his focus toward tea ceramics. He deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and after the war, his artistic scope expanded through the influence of Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. His achievements earned him the title of the "restorer of Bizen ware." He was the first Bizen potter to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property. In 1964 and 1966, he was invited as a guest lecturer for the summer program at the University of Hawaii. In 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration for Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun during their visit to Bizen. Major awards: Chugoku Culture Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette.