Bizen Tokkuri

This Bizen sake bottle is by Living National Treasure Yu Fujiwara, who expanded his horizons beyond Japan to share the appeal of Bizen ware with the world. It is a superb piece from his relatively early years, before he was designated a Living National Treasure, featuring moss-green "kase-goma" (matte ash glaze) and a kiln-altered "haikatsuri" (ash-covered) effect that appears almost like a "katamigawari" (half-and-half) design. The front features two connected "nuke" (uncovered spots), the base has a nuke that overlaps with the foot rim, and the back has a small, circular nuke, all displaying the elegant scarlet hue that only high-quality clay can produce. It is fascinating to note that the rolled rim and the balance of the body bear a striking resemblance to the sake bottles created by his father, Kei Fujiwara. (*There is a small kiln-adhesion mark on the circular nuke on the back.) Signed wooden box (double-crosspiece)
Rim 3.8cm × Body diameter 9.3cm × Body diameter 9.3cm × Height 12.3cm Capacity approx. 360cc Yu Fujiwara (1932–2001, born in Bizen City, Okayama Prefecture) was the eldest son of Living National Treasure Kei Fujiwara. His motto for pottery was "simple, clear, and bold," and he was known as "Yu of the Jars" for the many jars and bowls he produced. Influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji, he was also skilled at creating tableware. Starting in 1972, he held a series of themed exhibitions, including the "100 Jars Exhibition," "Sake Bottle Exhibition," "100 Flowers Exhibition," and "100 Bowls Exhibition." He also created many large-scale reliefs and objects. In 1967, he received the Japan Ceramic Society Award. In 1980, he was designated a holder of an important intangible cultural property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1996, he became the first person in the pottery world to be designated a holder of an important intangible cultural property (Living National Treasure) as part of a second-generation father-son pair.
Major awards include the Tosho Kaneshige Memorial Award, Okayama Prefecture Cultural Encouragement Award and Cultural Award, Sanyo Shimbun Prize, Chugoku Cultural Prize, Minister of Education Award for Fine Arts, Academia Grand Prize for Art and Culture, and the Medal with Dark Blue Ribbon.