Ibe Shuten

This is a new Ibe sake cup by Yasuhito Abe, an artist who creates one-of-a-kind works through unique research and firing techniques, driven by his profound insight into and aesthetic sensibility for antique ceramics. Following the Ibe-te pieces he produced for the first time in a while last autumn, this sake cup features a tea-bowl style form paired with the understated texture of Ibe-te. Ibe-te, which achieves its deep coloration through the application of a different type of clay as a slip, takes on enhanced hues through Abe-sensei’s masterful firing techniques; the result is a remarkably complex surface reminiscent of reddish-brown leather or weathered iron. His solid firing technique, grounded in years of research into old Bizen and antique ceramics, is also evident in the *goma* (ash glaze), where the viscous yellow *goma* possesses a richness that could be mistaken for antique Bizen, giving the piece an impressive presence. Original signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for delivery)
Diameter 7.1cm × Diameter 6.7cm × Height 4.3cm Yasuhito Abe was originally a Western-style painter. While he collected ceramics as a hobby, he felt a lack of satisfaction with contemporary Bizen ware and began pottery in 1972 to create pieces he could truly be satisfied with. He frequently creates water jars, flower vases, flat flasks, bowls, sake bottles, and sake cups. Every piece is wheel-thrown and finished with a spatula. His pottery is centered on Momoyama-period antique Bizen, and he is fastidious about his firing processes. He also creates and presents mixed-media works combining various materials and techniques such as ceramics, lacquer, oil painting, and bronze, engaging in a diverse range of artistic expression. He holds solo exhibitions energetically both in Japan and overseas, including in Tokyo, Osaka, New York, and Paris.