Bizen Sake Cup

This is a newly fired Bizen sake cup by Yoshiteru Kouriki, a popular young ceramic artist who was a live-in apprentice to the master Sozan Kaneshige. This latest work was fired in January 2017, created in pursuit of a new form of expression that differs from his previous kiln-change effects. Although fired in a climbing kiln, the piece possesses a brilliant, festive quality reminiscent of an anagama kiln firing, with a pale cherry-blossom pink hue that evokes the feeling of early spring. The ash-covered areas feature a refreshing light blue, which, despite the intense firing, creates a crisp color scheme that pairs perfectly with the magnificent texture of the clay. While the piece displays evidence of vigorous firing, the entire surface has been meticulously refined, and its soft, smooth texture complements the light, airy color palette of the work. Signed wooden box to be provided at a later date (please allow some time for shipping).
Diameter 6.6cm x Diameter 6.5cm x Height 5.4cm Yoshiteru Kouriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his father, who loved ceramics, he decided to pursue a career in pottery. After graduating from high school in 1989, he studied ceramic techniques under the master Sozan Kaneshige and his son, Yuho Kaneshige. After seven years of training, he built a climbing kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996 to establish his own studio, and successfully fired his first kiln the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has held annual solo exhibitions ever since. In 1999, he was selected for the "Exhibition of Northern Confectionery Vessels I Want to Use," and in 2002, he was selected for the "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" for the first time.