Bizen ware sake cup

This is an early Bizen sake cup by Kousuke Kaneshige, the leader of the Kaneshige school, whose father was the legendary reviver of Bizen ware and Living National Treasure, Toyo Kaneshige. It includes a biography from 1988, suggesting it was created around that time. The entire piece is covered in the fine, greenish, dry-ash (kase-goma) glaze that characterizes Kousuke-sensei’s Kato Kiln. The clay that peeks through between the glaze has a deep hue reminiscent of a rich red wine, making it truly exquisite. Its soft and gentle texture, which completely dispels the traditionally rough and dry image of kase-goma, is sure to enliven any drinking occasion. (Please note that while there is no staining, this is an older piece and shows slight signs of use.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter 7.0cm × Height 5.5cm Kousuke Kaneshige is the third son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo University of the Arts in 1968 and completed his graduate studies in sculpture there in 1970. He began exhibiting his ceramic works in 1975, and after serving as a lecturer at Tokai University, he returned home in 1977. He built his climbing kiln in 1982. He creates objects, tea utensils, flower vases, tableware, and sake vessels. In 1991, he created the ceramic wall piece "Light and Wind" for the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance building in Okayama. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1994 and exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition in 1997. He has held solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo and Osaka. In 2012, he was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefecture-designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.