Bizen sake bottle

This Bizen sake bottle is by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a dedicated pupil of the late Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara, whose philosophy and style he continues to uphold. Among Yoshimoto’s works, this is an exceptional piece, featuring a fine and beautiful blue *kase-goma* (matte sesame glaze), a deep crimson *kabuse-yaki* (overlaid firing) reminiscent of a ripened fruit, a scarlet *botamochi* mark on the front in a distinct tone, and a crescent-moon-like *nuke* (unglazed patch) on the base, among a wealth of other scenic effects. All these magnificent features are contained within a simple, round *maru-kabu* (turnip-shaped) body, and the perfectly rounded, plump form is flawless, without a single kiln flaw. It is said that his mentor, Kei Fujiwara, was particularly fond of *kase-goma* in Bizen ware; surely, if he were to see this bottle, he would have rejoiced at his pupil’s growth and immediately filled it with sake. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Rim 3.9cm x Body diameter 9.6cm x Diameter 9.7cm x Height 13.4cm; Capacity approx. 430cc Tadashi Yoshimoto became an indoor pupil of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964 and studied under him for 19 years until his mentor’s passing. He built his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, and became independent in 1975. His debut kiln firing resulted in selections for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, and he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1986. He boasts an outstanding exhibition record, including selections and awards in the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, East Chugoku Branch Exhibition, Toshinkai Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Open Call Exhibition. He has also been active in holding solo exhibitions since 1977 at major department stores in Okayama, Fukuyama, Mihara, Hiroshima, Tottori, Yonago, Kumamoto, Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, all of which met with great acclaim. In 1988, he was honored with the Kaneshige Toyo Award, and in 2007, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.