Bizen ware teacup

This is an early Bizen teacup by Intangible Cultural Property holder Yuichi Yamamoto, son of the master craftsman Toshu Yamamoto, who was known for his god-like skills. His father Toshu was world-renowned for his paper-thin teacups, and this piece rivals that legacy, with the clay thrown and pulled to its absolute limit of thinness. Beyond its remarkable delicacy, the piece exhibits the flawless, symmetrical craftsmanship one would expect from such an artist. The clay body has a distinct whitish hue and is decorated with "hidasuki" (fire-cord) markings that appear as planes rather than lines, creating a scenic effect reminiscent of rising flames. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Diameter 7.6cm x Diameter 7.3cm x Height 8.9cm Yuichi Yamamoto is the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto and began his path in ceramics under his father in 1959. In 1968, he became the first to introduce gas kilns to Bizen ware. Driven by a scientific, inquisitive spirit, he researched ways to turn hidasuki—traditionally reliant on chance—into intentional designs. He devised the "himon" and "hisai" techniques, in which he uses an extract boiled down from rice straw like paint to draw flowers and patterns onto the clay body to create artificial hidasuki. He works across a wide range of forms, including flower vases, tea sets, jars, and large bowls. He became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1967. In 1995, he published an introductory guide for creators titled "Techniques of Bizen Ware: Tradition and Creation." In 1996, he received the Tabe Museum Grand Prize at the Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition, and in the same year, he was certified as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property holder.
Awards: Kaneshige Toyo Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Okayama Nichinichi Shimbun Art and Culture Meritorious Service Award, Tea Ceremony Arts Exhibition Grand Prize, and many others / Juror for Prefectural Exhibitions
Affiliations: Japan Kōgei Association, Bizen-yaki Toshinkai, Bigeikai, Gengakai, Kunpukai