Bizen Kuro Hai

This is a new Bizen black sake cup by Takashi Baba, an artist born in Imbe who has loved Bizen ware since childhood and finds his life's joy in creating works and firing kilns. It is a "kuro-bizen" (black Bizen) sake cup made using the slip-coating technique that is his specialty; the black slip is layered with an abundance of "goma" (ash glaze), creating a dynamic landscape that seems to wash over and obscure the black surface itself. Likely fired while covered by another vessel, the interior features a soft "hi-dasuki" (fire-cord) pattern, which stands in stark contrast to the intense landscape of the outer rim, allowing one to enjoy the two distinct sides of a powerful appearance and a natural finish. It features a slightly flared Ido-style form combined with a "wari-kodai" (split foot). Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 9.3cm × Diameter 9.3cm × Height 4.1cm Takashi Baba was born in 1983 as the eldest son of Bizen ceramic artist Shosuke Baba. Thinking from a young age that he would become a potter, he chose to study sculpture in university to broaden his perspective on ceramics. In 2006, he graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo University of the Arts and then honed his skills at the Kyoto Municipal Institute of Industrial Technology and Culture. He became independent in 2007 and held his first solo exhibition. He is currently active primarily through solo exhibitions at department stores.