Bizen Yohen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen yohen sake cup from the Seiko period by Eiyuki Wani, who studied under the master Toyo Kaneshige and inherited his techniques and aspirations as his final apprentice. It includes a pottery biography from around 1980, suggesting it was likely produced around that time. Upholding the teaching of Toyo Kaneshige, "Be honest with the clay, be honest with the fire," he allows the inherent qualities of Bizen clay to blossom in a perfectly natural way within a style free of affectation. The soft, deep texture of the clay visible around the foot is truly magnificent, as one would expect. This piece features "kase" (matte) kiln transformation, characterized by a deep purple-grape clay hue. (There is very little sign of use, but please be aware that this is an older work.) Signed wooden box (double-crosspiece)
Diameter 8.1cm x 7.8cm x Height 3.7cm Eiyuki Wani apprenticed under Toyo Kaneshige in 1967, becoming Toyo's final student. Following his master's passing, he studied under Michiaki Kaneshige and was also mentored by Sozan Kaneshige. He built his own kiln in Kagamino in 1975, where he held his first firing as an independent artist. He has held solo exhibitions in cities including Mihara, Okayama, Tokyo, and Sapporo. In 1999, he received the Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition.