Bizen tea bowl

This is an earlier Bizen tea bowl by Yuho Kaneshige, an artist who, despite being part of the Kaneshige lineage, constantly questions himself and creates works not as "Kaneshige Yuho," but simply as Yuho, the potter. The box is inscribed with "Maruyama-gama," suggesting this piece was created during his very early period before he moved to Ibe. While there is a tendency for young artists to produce larger works, this piece already exhibits the small, refined style that defines Yuho-sensei's current rhythm and approach. The soft clay texture with a subtle dusting of burnt sesame glaze and the hidasuki markings in the interior clearly demonstrate how thoroughly he mastered the art of tea bowl making from the Kaneshige family. It is a compact, comfortable bowl that sits perfectly in the hands and makes the tea look truly delicious. (Please note that while there are few signs of use, this is an early work.) Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 11.3cm x 11.1cm x Height 8.1cm Yuho Kaneshige was born as the third son of the Intangible Cultural Property holder Sozan Kaneshige. He began studying pottery techniques under his father in 1975. He became independent in 1980 and held his first solo exhibition in Okayama. He creates tableware, focusing primarily on tea ceramics such as tea bowls, water jars, and flower vases. With tea bowls, in particular, he places great importance on the interior form (mikomi) while pursuing balance on the exterior. He has received the Sanyo Shimbun Award at the Prefectural Art Exhibition, the Encouragement Award at the Exhibition of Ceramic Arts for Tea Ceremony, and the Encouragement Award at the Tanko Biennale. In 2002, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 2018, he received the Sanyo Shimbun Cultural Merit Award. He is also active in holding solo exhibitions in various locations. In 2019, he was designated as a holder of an Okayama Prefecture-designated Important Intangible Cultural Property.