Bizen sake bottle

This Bizen sake bottle is the work of popular young ceramic artist Yoshiteru Koriki, who was an inner-circle apprentice to the master Sozan Kaneshige. A recent piece fired in January 2017, this is an excellent work where the exquisite firing has achieved a superb balance between the scarlet hues and the matte sesame (kase-goma) glaze. The green matte sesame, reminiscent of melon skin, has a fresh, lifelike quality that is hard to believe originated from earth and fire. This is paired with the vivid orange "tsuchiaji" (clay character) created by Koriki's meticulous approach to clay and kiln firing, resulting in a landscape that resembles a Yubari melon. The near-white gray of the dried clay, known as "shiro-ji," becomes as vivid as if it were hollowed out from a real Yubari melon, reminding us once again of the inherent power of Bizen clay. The elegantly upright neck is very easy to hold, making this a true gem that is a pleasure to look at, touch, and use. Original signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for shipping).
Rim diameter 3.5cm × Body diameter 9.3cm × Body diameter 9.2cm × Height 13.9cm, Capacity approx. 400cc Yoshiteru Koriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his father, a pottery enthusiast, he decided to pursue a career in ceramics. After graduating from high school in 1989, he apprenticed under master potters Sozan and Yuho Kaneshige to learn the craft. After seven years of training, he established his own climbing kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996 and successfully completed his first firing the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has held annual exhibitions since. In 1999, his work was selected for the "Northern Confectionery Container Exhibition," and in 2002, he was selected for the "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" for the first time.