Bizen Black Sesame Sake Cup

This is a Bizen black sesame sake cup by Yoshiteru Koriki, a popular young artist and former apprentice to the master Sozan Kaneshige. This cup features the black sesame glaze that Mr. Koriki has been focusing on recently. The black sesame effect is achieved by placing the piece in an area where the hot wind blows directly during the firing; the sesame layers upon sesame to create a texture that is remarkably smooth and gentle, often used for tea bowls. By using high-quality rice field clay, the piece retains the inherent appeal of the earth despite the intense firing, with a rich, bright brown clay tone that evokes the depth of his mentor Sozan Kaneshige’s work. The base is finished with fine diagonal spatula marks, complementing the glossy nature of the black sesame glaze to create a solid, powerful presence. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 6.7cm x Diameter 6.4cm x Height 5.3cm Yoshiteru Koriki was born in Ako City, Hyogo Prefecture. Influenced by his father, a pottery enthusiast, he pursued a career in ceramics. After graduating from high school in 1989, he apprenticed under the master Sozan Kaneshige and his son Yuho to learn the craft. Following seven years of training, he built his own climbing kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1996 and struck out on his own, achieving success with his first firing the following year. He held his first solo exhibition in Tokyo in 2000 and has held annual solo exhibitions since. In 1999, he was selected for the "Exhibition of Confectionary Vessels I Want to Use," and in 2002, he was selected for the "Tea Ceremony Modeling Exhibition" for the first time.