Ibe Shuten

This is a Bizen sake cup by Kosuke Yashiro, who spent his formative years dreaming of working with Bizen ware in the town of Imbe, and who finally debuted after realizing his long-held dream of building his own kiln there. It is a quintessential Bizen piece that reflects the spirit of Yashiro, who was captivated by the works of the many potters born, raised, and laid to rest in Imbe, and who dedicated his life to Bizen ware. The piece showcases a magnificent "haikaburi" (ash-covered) kiln transformation—a star of the Bizen style—which is fitting for an artist who proudly claims that the true meaning of his work lies in crafting Bizen ware within the local landscape of Imbe. The piece is fired with incredible intensity, and its outer surface is almost entirely enveloped in a rich, heavy layer of ash, with faint glints of carbonized purple-silver revealing the unique fascination of Bizen ware. The interior features a well-defined "marunuke" (circular unglazed patch), a highly desirable detail for a sake cup, where a lovely sunset-hued scarlet glows softly amidst the ink-like black finish. Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Diameter 7.9cm × Diameter 7.2cm × Height 4.1cm Kosuke Yashiro was born in Sapporo, Hokkaido in 1979. Around 2000, he began training under various kilns and artists in Imbe, Bizen City. He established his own kiln in Imbe and became an independent artist in September 2016.