Bizen Yohen Sake Bottle

This is a Bizen yohen sake bottle by Makoto Nakamura, a renowned master of sake vessels and tableware and the eldest son of the legendary Bizen pottery master Rokuro Nakamura. Drawing on the expertise in sake vessel craftsmanship inherited from his father, he has created this piece in a rustic, flattened globular shape featuring magnificent kiln-change effects. The charred ash-covered surface, scorched to a crisp, has carbonized into a deep black, while the area from the base to the waist emits a faint, dull luster that creates a powerful presence. While the iconic scarlet color characteristic of the Nakamura family has been fired through to a refined reddish-brown, it transforms into an exquisite hue when dampened by sake—a testament to its earthen nature. This raw clay quality offers a superb aesthetic, and the contrast with the intensely fired exterior further highlights the moist, earthen tones. The vessel features the signature flattened form synonymous with the Nakamura family, with all four sides slightly indented for a comfortable grip. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Rim 3.6cm x Body diameter 10.0cm x Body diameter 10.0cm x Height 8.2cm Capacity: Approx. 190cc Born as the eldest son of Rokuro Nakamura, Makoto Nakamura began learning the fundamentals under his father in 1971, diligently honing his skills. To master the firing techniques of the Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige, he spent ten years assisting with and receiving instruction during the kiln firings of Michiaki Kaneshige. He became independent in 1975. He focuses on tea ceramics and tableware, while also creating flower vases, sake bottles, and sake cups. He actively holds solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Okayama, Nagoya, and throughout Japan.