Bizen sake bottle

20170903 Y This is a Bizen sake flask by the late master Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure and the great restorer of Bizen ware. Based on the size of the "To" potter's mark and the firing characteristics, this piece appears to date to around 1955, when Kaneshige was roughly 60 years old—a period slightly earlier than his final years. It is a rare small flask among Kaneshige’s works, featuring a charming shape with a capacity of about one go (approx. 180ml) combined with the elegant firing typical of the master, giving it a very refreshing silhouette. The piece is covered in a greenish-tinged goma (sesame) glaze, and the scenery, appearing to fall between kase-goma (matte sesame) and yellow sesame, is incredibly rich in depth. The base features a dark, austere clay body reminiscent of chocolate, a characteristic feature of his work from the late 1940s to the 1950s; the "nuke" (unfired or flashed area) on the front shows a mellow transition in color akin to chocolate and ganache. Despite its small and cute appearance, this sake flask is packed with highlights, fully embodying the distinctive clay texture and aesthetic scenery expected of Kaneshige. Boxed and identified by Kosuke (with shihosan and double box) Rim 3.4cm × Body diameter 9.0cm × Body diameter 8.9cm × Height 9.4cm Capacity: approx. 240cc If you prefer to pay by credit card, the payment will need to be processed in multiple installments, so please consult with us. Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Inbe, Bizen City) was born as the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen pottery lineages. He studied under his father and rose to prominence for his handmade houhin (side-handled teapots). From the Taisho era through the early Showa era, he conducted extensive research and succeeded in recreating the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen ware; during this time, he also began using the potter's wheel and dedicated himself to creating tea ceramics. He deepened his friendships with Handei Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and in the post-war period, expanded his artistic scope through the influence of Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. For these contributions, he is known as the restorer of Bizen ware. He was the first Bizen potter to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, and in 1964 and 1966, he was invited as a lecturer for the summer program at the University of Hawaii. In 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration for Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun during their visit to Bizen. Major awards: Chugoku Culture Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, Gold Rays with Rosette.