Bizen Yohen Sake Bottle

This is a freshly kiln-fired Bizen sake bottle by Makoto Nakamura, the eldest son of the late master Rokuro Nakamura—a legend of Bizen sake ware—and a highly renowned creator of sake vessels and tableware in his own right. Utilizing the expertise in sake ware craftsmanship inherited from his father, he has created this stunning *henko* (flattened) sake bottle, which features magnificent kiln-fired transformations. He has masterfully recreated the form reminiscent of his father’s work in his later years, evoking the appearance of a shriveled sack, with truly exquisite details such as the angular shoulders and the thick, wide mouth. Appearing to have been placed upside down in the kiln, the base is coated in crystallized *goma* (ash glaze) from the intense heat, while the body, shielded from the fiercest flames, retains a vibrant, earthy texture characterized by soft *hi-iro* (scarlet fire colors). With its exceptional *henko* shape combined with intense firing and lively clay texture, this is a gem of a sake bottle that will prove irresistible to any connoisseur. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Rim 3.7cm × Body diameter 12.3cm × Body diameter 12.3cm × Height 9.1cm, Capacity approx. 330cc Born as the eldest son of Rokuro Nakamura, Makoto Nakamura began learning the foundations of the craft under his father in 1971, diligently honing his skills. To further study the firing techniques of the Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, he spent ten years assisting with and receiving guidance from Michiaki Kaneshige during his kiln firings. He became independent in 1975. He focuses on tea ceramics and tableware, and also creates flower vases, sake bottles, and sake cups. He holds frequent solo exhibitions across the country, including in Tokyo, Okayama, and Nagoya.