Sake cup, rooster

This Bizen sake cup, featuring the Chinese zodiac sign of the Rooster (Tori), is a collaborative work by Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara and his son, Kazu Fujiwara, who expanded their horizons beyond Japan to share the allure of Bizen ware with the world. In this collaboration, Kazu threw the piece on the potter's wheel, while Yu carved the zodiac rooster. It is an auspicious sake cup that was produced every year in time for the New Year. It is said that the character for the zodiac rooster (酉) represents a jar or sake bottle, and also carries the meaning of maturation. When combined with the "liquid" radical (sanzui), it is said to form the kanji for sake (酒), making this the perfect piece for the upcoming zodiac year. Signed wooden box (Nihō-san style)
Diameter 8.9cm × Diameter 8.8cm × Height 3.2cm Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. In his pottery, he adopted the motto "simple, clear, and bold," producing many jars and bowls, which earned him the nickname "Yu of the Jars." Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he was also skilled at creating tableware. Starting in 1972, he held a series of exhibitions, including the "100 Jars," "Sake Bottle," "100 Flowers," and "100 Bowls" exhibitions. He also created numerous large-scale reliefs and objects. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1967. In 1980, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he and his father became the first pair of parent and child in the pottery world to both be designated as Holders of Important Intangible Cultural Properties (Living National Treasures).
Major awards include the Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts, Academia Prize for Arts and Culture, and the Medal with Blue Ribbon.