Bizen sake cup

This is a Bizen sake cup by Tadashi Yoshimoto, a devoted pupil of the Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara, who carries on his philosophy and artistic style. Featuring two "botamochi" (peony cake) markings on the front and interior, the piece exudes the classic elegance of Fujiwara-style Bizen ware. The clay is fired to a hard, dense finish with a profound depth of color, shifting through shades of perilla, brown, and adzuki bean, delighting the eye from every angle. The "goma" (ash glaze) application is understated, and the simple, quintessential design makes it an ideal gift. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 7.4cm × Diameter 7.3cm × Height 5.8cm Tadashi Yoshimoto became a live-in apprentice to Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara in 1964, studying under him for 19 years until the master's passing. He established his own kiln in Shizutani, Bizen City, in 1975. His debut kiln firing resulted in selections for the Japan Traditional Art Crafts Exhibition, the Okayama Prefectural Art Exhibition, and the Eastern China Branch Exhibition, and he became a full member of the Japan Kōgei Association in 1986. His distinguished career includes selections and awards from the Okayama Prefectural Exhibition, Eastern China Branch Exhibition, Toshinkai Exhibition, Chunichi International Ceramic Art Exhibition, Asahi Ceramic Art Exhibition, Japan Ceramic Art Exhibition, Ceramic Art Biennale, and the Yakishime Ceramic Art Open Exhibition. He has also been highly active in holding solo exhibitions since 1977 at department stores in Okayama, Fukuyama, Mihara, Hiroshima, Tottori, Yonago, Kumamoto, Himeji, Kobe, Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, all of which met with great acclaim. He was honored with the Kaneshige Toyo Prize in 1988, and in 2007, he was designated as a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture.