Bizen Yohen Sake Cup

This is a Bizen yohen sake cup by Yoshiteru Koriki, a popular young artist and former apprentice to the master Sozan Kaneshige. It is a recent work taken from the kiln in the spring of 2016, and features a striking yohen (kiln transmutation) effect created through an adventurous, high-risk firing process. This firing technique, which pushes the clay to its limits, has given the body a unique hue; in particular, the interior has transformed into a mysterious, pink-gold color. The intense "sesame" ash glaze flowing down the front is also magnificent, where a large amount of natural glaze—which would typically result in a yellow sesame pattern on Bizen ware—has been fired at such a high temperature that it has transformed into a vibrant green. (Please note that there is some flaking on the rim due to the intense firing; this is not damage.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter 6.6cm × Height 5.7cm Yoshiteru Koriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Inspired by his father’s love for pottery, he pursued a career in ceramics. After graduating from high school in 1989, he apprenticed under the master Sozan Kaneshige and his son Yuho to learn the craft. After seven years of training, 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 held annual solo exhibitions ever since. He was selected for the "Exhibition of Confectionery Vessels You Want to Use" in 1999 and was first selected for the "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" in 2002.