Ibe Gourd-Shaped Sake Bottle

This Ibe gourd-shaped sake bottle is a previous work by the perpetually popular artist Yuho Kaneshige, the third son of the tea ceramics master, Sozan Kaneshige. It includes a biography from around 1998, suggesting it was produced during that period. For this piece, he used high-quality mountain clay inherited from his father, Sozan, resulting in a soft, orange-hued surface complemented by a moist, matte-ash glaze. True to his love for music, including jazz, which he often listens to while working at the potter's wheel, the bottle is crafted with a unique, alluring sense of balance. The overall form, which appears to stoop, combined with the way the clay is heavily gathered and distorted at the base, creates a sense of elasticity that is arguably more dynamic than a perfectly straight design—a true testament to his mastery. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Rim 2.8cm x Body diameter 9.0cm x Body diameter 8.8cm x Height 14.1cm Capacity 270cc Yuho Kaneshige was born as the third son of the Intangible Cultural Property holder, Sozan Kaneshige. He began learning pottery techniques under his father in 1975. In 1980, he became independent and held his first solo exhibition in Okayama. He focuses on tea ceramics such as tea bowls, water jars, and flower vases, as well as tableware. In his preferred work, tea bowls, he emphasizes the interior structure (mikomi) while pursuing a perfect balance on the exterior. He has received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Prefectural Exhibition, the Encouragement Award at the Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition, and the Tanko Biennale Encouragement Award. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 2003 and remains active in holding solo exhibitions in various locations.