Ibe Shuten

This is a newly kiln-fired Ibe sake cup by Ariyoshi Kaneshige, an artist who, while belonging to the Kaneshige lineage, constantly questions himself and creates works as the potter Ariyoshi, rather than as "Ariyoshi Kaneshige." This sake cup is from a series he has been working on for the past three or four years that features a nearly plain surface, carefully fired in a climbing kiln with high-quality clay placed inside saggars. Even with his *hi-dasuki* (fire-cord) patterns, he cherishes his own color palette, distinct from that of his father, Sozan, applying them with as little conscious effort as possible—his style is to simply toss the straw onto the piece and accept whatever result occurs. Holding it in my hand, I felt as though I were observing a chef grilling a prime cut of meat to perfection: he has prepared the finest clay and then provided only the optimal fire, leaving the rest to the clay itself. The soft texture of the clay is a luxury in its own right, and the subtle *hi-dasuki* ensures that the piece never tires the eye, offering a refined aesthetic that can be enjoyed indefinitely. Signed wooden box (shiho-san style)
Diameter 6.3cm × 6.3cm × Height 4.5cm