Bizen Yohen Sake Cup

This Bizen *yohen* (kiln-change) sake cup was created by Yoshiteru Koriki, a popular young artist and former apprentice to the master Sozan Kaneshige. We commissioned this piece specifically from Mr. Koriki, inspired by the exceptionally large sake cups favored by ancient warlords. While its bowl-sized dimensions give it a bold and dynamic presence, the texture of the clay—a blend of mountain and paddy soil—imbues the work with a delicate yet powerful quality, ensuring it never feels coarse. The interior features a majestic, circular *marunuke* (unfired/clear) mark that captures the essence of the sun, making this an auspicious cup reminiscent of a sunrise. Signed wooden box (shiho-zan)
Diameter 14.1cm × Diameter 13.9cm × Height 5.0cm Yoshiteru Koriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his father’s love for pottery, he set his sights on a career in ceramics and, after graduating from high school, began his training in 1989 under the masters Sozan and Yuho Kaneshige. Following seven years of apprenticeship, he established his own climbing kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996, and successfully produced his first firing the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has continued to hold them annually ever since. In 1999, his work was selected for the "Exhibition of Confectionery Vessels I Want to Use," and in 2002, he was selected for the "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" for the first time.