Bizen sake bottle

This is a brand-new Bizen sake flask, fresh from the kiln of Takashi Soga, who challenges the beauty of antiquity by recreating the same environment in which ancient Bizen ware was fired. To replicate the style of ancient Bizen, he avoids the use of firebricks; as a result, the kiln operates outside the bounds of modern conventional wisdom in terms of internal thermal efficiency. Consequently, the pieces produced possess a superlative "earthen quality" that transcends modern aesthetics and approaches that of ancient Bizen. In his constant quest to master new firing techniques to get ever closer to ancient Bizen, Soga has successfully recreated the "firmly fired yet melt-in-the-mouth scarlet" hues found within the fire-touched areas of ancient works. The hazy scarlet coloring, reminiscent of ancient Bizen, is like a flame flickering in the twilight, evoking a profound sense of wabi-sabi and charm that only such indistinct beauty can produce. When moistened with water or sake, the texture reaches a new pinnacle, fully conveying the exquisite charm of Bizen sake flasks that have been cherished by connoisseurs for generations. Featuring a wide-open mouth and strongly defined shoulders, the piece has a powerful, unadorned form, yet is surprisingly light in weight. (While slightly unstable when empty, it becomes secure once filled with sake.) Signed wooden box to follow (please allow some time for delivery)
Rim diameter 4.4cm x Body diameter 9.0cm x Body diameter 9.0cm x Height 13.9cm; Capacity approx. 420cc Takashi Soga was born in Tokyo in 1984. He apprenticed under Jun Isezaki in 2009 and built his own kiln in Kukui, Bizen City, in 2012. He became independent and began his career as a ceramic artist in 2013.