Bizen small sake bottle

This Bizen sake bottle is the work of the late master Ken Fujiwara, an artisan of timeless talent who possessed both boldness and meticulous precision. The box inscription identifies it as a *ko-tokkuri* (small sake bottle), and it features a charming, turnip-shaped form that is a size smaller than usual. Although Master Fujiwara was highly skilled at *hidasuki* (fire-cord) firing and left behind many excellent works, this piece displays a unique aesthetic: a body fired deeply to a dark brown hue, overlaid with *hidasuki* markings in a darker chocolate brown that seems to merge with the surface. The rich, bitter-chocolate-like texture is remarkably refined; while it appears scorched and weathered to the point of being dried out, it retains a moist, vibrant quality that speaks to the life of the clay—a masterful expression of the true essence of Bizen ware, encapsulated in a single *hidasuki* stroke. Signed wooden box (double-frame lid)
Rim 3.1cm x Body diameter 9.3cm x Body diameter 9.1cm x Height 10.3cm, Capacity approx. 290cc Master Ken Fujiwara (1924–1977) began his pottery career in 1946 under his uncle, Kei Fujiwara, and also studied under Toyo Kaneshige and Sozan Kaneshige. Later, he learned tableware production techniques from Rosanjin Kitaoji in Kamakura, before establishing his own kiln in 1956. Subsequently, he was selected for numerous exhibitions. In 1970, he designed and built a large Bizen kiln using modern refractory bricks. In 1973, he was designated a holder of the Prefecture-designated Important Intangible Cultural Property and was awarded the Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fifth Class. Although he was expected to be a leader who would shoulder the future of Bizen pottery, he passed away at the young age of 53.