Bizen tea cup

This Bizen yunomi (teacup) was created by Masamine Kakurezaki, an artist who blazed his own trail after being mentored by the masters of modern ceramics. While it features the classic Bizen characteristics of *goma* (ash glaze), *sangiri* (reduction-fired grey), and *hi-iro* (scarlet flame colors), the unique gradations result in a work of remarkable variation. The base clay is a bluish-grey, but it is overlaid with a scarlet gradation that bleeds in like a sunset, creating a mysterious color palette where reduction and oxidation tones intermingle. The carving of the four seasons is magnificent, reflecting the touch of Kakurezaki-sensei, a man of culture well-versed not only in ceramics but also in calligraphy, painting, and *maki-e* lacquerware. (Please note that there is a slight adhesion from the *goma* glaze on the interior.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.9cm × Diameter 7.9cm × Height 7.7cm Masamine Kakurezaki began by studying *maki-e* under lacquer artist Jinsai Namba at the Okayama Prefectural School of Industrial Arts (now Okayama Technical High School) in 1935. After the war, inspired by the style of Toyo Kaneshige and receiving instruction from him on creating *hohin* (teapots), he entered the world of ceramics. He also studied under Toshu Yamamoto. Breaking free from the traditional boundaries of Bizen ware, he created a diverse range of expressions, including "e-Bizen" (painted Bizen) and "kinsai-Bizen" (gold-decorated Bizen) that leverage his *maki-e* techniques, "jomon-Bizen" featuring rope patterns on red surfaces without kiln changes, "oni-Bizen" with intense kiln alterations, and works with *sueki*-style textures. He became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1969 and was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture in 1980. In 1997, his work was exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He is also accomplished in painting, calligraphy, and *tanka* poetry, having already published four poetry collections. Kazan Matsuda is his brother-in-law.
Awards: Recipient of numerous honors, including the Kaneshige Toyo Prize, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Minister of Education Award, Order of the Sacred Treasure, 5th Class, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, etc. / Member of the Prefectural Exhibition Judging Committee