Bizen Sake Cup

This is a newly kiln-fired Bizen sake cup by Kosuke Kaneshige, leader of the Kaneshige school and son of the late Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, the legendary restorer of Bizen ware. Much like the recent kiln firing by Junpei Kaneshige, this piece was achieved by altering the firing method in the final stages, resulting in a remarkably vivid and clear scarlet hue that is highly prized in sake vessels. The scarlet color—so striking it almost begs to be described as "poached"—is nothing short of magnificent; it is a truly luxurious work that features this coloration not just on the front, but across its entire surface, including the interior, sides, and base. While the scarlet glows brilliantly even when dry, once wetted, it takes on an even deeper luster, melting into an exquisite shade. While the cup is large and possesses a commanding presence, the most playful aspect is the rim, which has been intentionally distorted to create a section from which one cannot drink.

View blog post by Kosuke Kaneshige Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for delivery)
Diameter 7.0cm x Diameter 6.9cm x Height 6.6cm Kosuke Kaneshige is the third son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Department of Sculpture at Tokyo University of the Arts in 1968 and completed his graduate studies in the same department in 1970. He began exhibiting his ceramic works in 1975, and after serving as a lecturer at Tokai University's School of Letters and Science, he returned to his hometown in 1977. He built his own climbing kiln in 1982. He creates objects, tea utensils, flower vases, tableware, and sake vessels. In 1991, he created the ceramic mural "Light and Wind" for the Yasuda Fire and Marine Insurance Building in Okayama. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1994. In 1997, his work was exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He holds solo exhibitions in various locations, including Tokyo and Osaka. In 2012, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture.