Kakiyu Beergrass in Hawai University

A persimmon-glazed beer mug created at the University of Hawaii by the great Toyo Kaneshige, the first-generation Living National Treasure and the restorer of Bizen ware. This rare piece was crafted by Kaneshige during his time as a visiting lecturer at the University of Hawaii in 1964 and 1966. Using persimmon glaze and local soil, the work showcases his masterful Bizen techniques while possessing a relaxed and spirited style. It is fascinating to see such a playful creation, featuring fluid glazing and a unique handle, from his later years in Hawaii, especially considering the immense pressure he faced as the leading figure in Bizen pottery. The design is calculated to enhance the taste of beer by leaving much of the clay surface exposed rather than covering it entirely with glaze. Boxed and signed by Kosuke (with *shihōsan* frame and double box)
Diameter 10.7cm x 7.8cm x Height 10.7cm Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Inbe, Bizen City) was the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen pottery clans. He studied under his father and gained fame for his handmade *hōhin* teapots. From the Taisho to early Showa periods, he conducted extensive research, successfully reviving the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. During this time, he began using the potter's wheel and shifted his focus to tea ceramics. He deepened friendships with figures such as Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and expanded his artistic range after the war through influences from Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi. For his contributions, he is known as the restorer of Bizen ware. He was the first Bizen potter to be designated a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property. He was invited as a summer lecturer at the University of Hawaii in 1964 and 1966, and in 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration for the Emperor and Empress during their visit to Bizen.
Major awards: Chugoku Culture Award, Sanyo Shimbun Award, Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, Medal with Purple Ribbon, Order of the Sacred Treasure, Fourth Class.