Bizen Guinomi(used)

This is a somewhat earlier Bizen sake cup by Kosuke Kaneshige, leader of the Kaneshige school and son of the great Living National Treasure and restorer of Bizen ware, Toyo Kaneshige. It features a distinctive waist-tightening design that is instantly recognizable as the work of Kosuke, which not only sharpens the overall form but also makes it easier to hold. The intensely fired *haikaburi* (ash-covered) kiln transformation is also spectacular, displaying black-silver ash glazes alongside a beautiful mouse-gray *namako* (sea cucumber) skin texture. The clay body is fired to a solid, well-matured beige, and perhaps due to the influence of the kiln firing at the time, there is a rare touch of gold coloration on the foot and in the interior of the cup. (*Please note that while there are signs of use, there is no dirt or staining; as this is an earlier work, please be aware of this in advance.) Signed wooden box (shihozan) with lid
Diameter 6.6cm × Diameter 6.5cm × Height 6.3cm Kosuke Kaneshige is the third son of Living National Treasure Toyo Kaneshige. He graduated from the Sculpture Department of Tokyo University of the Arts in 1968 and completed his graduate studies there in 1970. He began exhibiting ceramic works in 1975, and after working as a lecturer at Tokai University, he returned to his hometown in 1977. He built a climbing kiln in 1982. He creates sculptures, tea utensils, vases, tableware, and sake vessels. In 1991, he created the ceramic mural "Light and Wind" for the Yasuda Fire & Marine Insurance building in Okayama. He received the Japan Ceramic Society Award in 1994. In 1997, he exhibited at the Bizen Ware Paris Exhibition. He holds solo exhibitions in Tokyo, Osaka, and other locations. In 2012, he was designated as a Holder of Okayama Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property.