Bizen Hidasuki Tsutsu Chawan

This is a Bizen hidasuki cylindrical tea bowl by Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto, a master who created numerous masterpieces with incomparable, god-like techniques. This bowl features the potter's mark from his later years, after he was designated a Living National Treasure following a career that spanned a turbulent era. Among Toshu's tea bowls, such a remarkably distinctive piece is extremely rare; its cylindrical form, modeled after Black Oribe tea bowls, and its thick rim band possess an overwhelming sense of presence. He has completely sealed away his trademark symmetrical shaping, instead allowing the "distortion" backed by his high level of technical skill to be seen everywhere, from the foot to the rim. It brilliantly captures a wonderful balance between the powerful energy found in Oribe works and a curious sense of relaxed ease. The hidasuki (fire-cord) markings, fired in a climbing kiln using a steaming technique, are wonderfully rich and supple, perfectly suited to this uniquely whimsical style that is so uncharacteristic of Toshu. Signed wooden box (shiho-san)
Diameter 11.0cm x 10.9cm x Height 9.7cm Toshu Yamamoto (1906–1994, born in Inbe, Bizen City) entered the world of pottery in 1921 and established his own kiln in 1933. He later refined his skills under Kyoto ceramic artist Yaichi Kusube. After the war, he deepened his friendships with figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. Known as "Toshu of the Wheel" for his superior throwing skills, he created delicate works and ambitiously tackled the production of tea ceramics, primarily tea caddies, establishing himself as a master of the craft. He was particularly fond of tea caddies and produced many. In 1987, he was designated a Holder of Important Intangible Cultural Property (Living National Treasure). In 1992, he held the exhibition "Travels Through the Six Old Kilns: Living National Treasure Toshu Yamamoto."
Main Awards... Okayama Prefectural Cultural Award, Miki Memorial Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Chugoku Cultural Award, Mainichi Art Award, Bizen City Distinguished Service Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class, Honorary Citizen of Bizen City