{"product_id":"p4598","title":"Bizen sake bottle","description":"This is a Bizen sake bottle by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master artisan renowned for his peerless, god-like techniques and numerous masterpieces. It bears the triangular \"Ma\" seal, suggesting it dates from the middle period of his career. The combination of a symmetrical, perfectly balanced, full-bodied form with a delicate neck and mouth design makes it instantly recognizable as the work of Yamamoto, even without any special embellishments—a true testament to his skill. It has been fired under intense reduction, resulting in an exposed clay body with a bluish-gray hue and patches of *kase-goma* (stony ash glaze) with a subtle blue tint, creating a unique aesthetic where blue Bizen and *kase-goma* fuse together. While the size is substantial, the wall thickness is remarkably uniform and thin throughout, making its lightness in the hand truly surprising.\n\nOriginal signed box (shiho-zan) with lid\u003cbr\u003e\nRim 3.0cm x Body Diameter 9.0cm x Body Diameter 9.0cm x Height 12.9cm; Capacity approx. 400cc\n\nToshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Imbe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933. He later refined his skills under the Kyoto potter Yaichi Kusube. After the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. Known as \"Toshu of the Potter's Wheel,\" he was celebrated for his exceptional wheel-throwing techniques and delicate creations. He established a strong reputation as a master of tea ceramics, working energetically on tea wares, with a particular fondness for tea caddies. He was designated a Living National Treasure (Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property) in 1987. In 1992, he held the exhibition \"Journey of the Six Ancient Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto Exhibition.\"\u003cbr\u003e\nMajor awards include: Okayama Prefecture Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, and Honorary Citizen of Bizen City.","brand":"山本陶秀","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46618639401057,"sku":"4598","price":220000.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0654\/9916\/8865\/files\/4598.jpg?v=1790239268","url":"https:\/\/tourakuen.myshopify.com\/en\/products\/p4598","provider":"川口陶楽苑","version":"1.0","type":"link"}