Bizen flat tea bowl

This is a superb Bizen tea bowl by Michiaki Kaneshige, who was born as the eldest son of the master Toyo Kaneshige and captivated everyone with a style that infused unique sensibilities into tradition. This is a masterwork from Michiaki's middle period, boasting a magnificent coloration that could easily be mistaken for a tea bowl from the later years of his father, Toyo Kaneshige. It possesses a wonderful, incomparable character, featuring a fine-grained, matte-textured yellow sesame glaze (kigoma), a rich, bright brownish clay, and a hidasuki (fire-cord) pattern that highlights the quality of the clay in the foot and interior. While the clay and firing make this a masterpiece that could be mistaken for a great work by Toyo Kaneshige, the foot alone reveals Michiaki’s unique personality; it is carved in a serious, precise manner, yet lacks any rigidity, beautifully reflecting Michiaki's calm and sincere character. Original signed box (shiho-san)
Diameter 17.7cm x Diameter 17.4cm x Height 6.0cm Michiaki Kaneshige (1934–1995) was born in Imbe as the eldest son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. In 1955, he graduated from the Kanazawa College of Art, specializing in crafts. He became a ceramic artist under the tutelage of his father, Toyo. From 1957, he was selected for the Asahi Modern Ceramics Exhibition for three consecutive years. He was also selected for the Nitten Exhibition, and in 1960, he toured the United States to observe ceramic arts. In 1969, he became a regular member of the Japan Kōgei Association and was awarded the Toyo Kaneshige Award in 1970. In 1973, he was recommended as a committee member for the Issuikai Ceramics Department, received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1980, and was officially designated as an Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property in 1990. He specialized in tea ceramics but also created geometric-shaped bowls and other works. His pieces were also featured in overseas exhibitions.