Bizen Sake Cup

This is a freshly kiln-fired sake cup by Shusaku Taku, a creator who gives shape to the various inspirations of daily life using Bizen ware—a craft that has matured while closely accompanying the continuous activities of people throughout history. This new piece was jointly fired at the kiln of his father, Mamoru Taku, located in Takebe Town. Carefully hand-coiled over a long period, the work conveys the dedication behind its creation, delighting the palm with its pleasant weight and the texture of the clay and sesame glaze. Compared to his previous works, this piece displays a more restrained movement to create a serene worldview, pioneering a new frontier with a primitive atmosphere. The firing complements this aesthetic, producing a *hidasuki* (fire-cord) pattern with strong reduction-fired tones, while the interior features natural *sangiri* (ash-covered reduction) effects that further accentuate the primitive, earthenware-like quality. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Diameter 6.6cm x Diameter 6.5cm x Height 6.5cm Shusaku Taku was born in 1980 as the eldest son of Mamoru Taku. In 2001, he graduated from the Arita College of Ceramics in Saga Prefecture and began his apprenticeship under his father. In 2002, he received the Okayama Prefectural Board of Education Superintendent's Award at the Japan Traditional Kogei Chugoku Branch Exhibition. In 2004, he received the Excellence Award at the Tanabe Museum of Art's Tea Ceremony Molding Exhibition. In addition, his works have been selected for the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition and the Japan Traditional Kogei Chugoku Branch Exhibition.