Bizen sake bottle

This Bizen tokkuri (sake flask) is by the timeless master Ken Fujiwara, a man who possessed both bold grandeur and meticulous precision. He masterfully achieved the coexistence of *hidasuki* (fire-cord) and *goma* (sesame glaze)—a feat considered exceptionally difficult—creating a stunning landscape reminiscent of his mentor, Toyo Kaneshige. The *hidasuki* patterns that race across the body of the vessel, combined with the unique *goma* that appears as if it were poured on in liquid form, are truly spectacular. The *goma* itself has significant depth, and the piece is endlessly captivating with its dynamic textures, where the *goma* wraps around the *hidasuki* to create striations and drips down the surface. At the same time, the deep, flavorful quality of the clay—Ken’s greatest hallmark—is clearly visible, and one can deeply feel the excellence of the earth through the variations in color between the rim and the waist. (Please note that there is a trace of flaked *hidasuki* on the rim.) Signed wooden box (double-slat lid)
Rim 3.7cm × Body diameter 9.6cm × Body diameter 9.3cm × Height 12.9cm; Capacity approx. 380cc Ken Fujiwara (1924–1977) began his pottery training in 1946 under his uncle, Kei Fujiwara, and also studied under Toyo Kaneshige and Sozan Kaneshige. He later learned tableware production techniques from Rosanjin Kitaoji in Kamakura before establishing his own kiln in 1956. Thereafter, he was consistently selected for various exhibitions. In 1970, he devised and built a large Bizen kiln using modern refractory bricks. In 1973, he was designated as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class. Though expected to become a leader who would carry the next generation of Bizen pottery, he passed away at the young age of 53.