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No. 5242
Bizen Katakuchi Guinomi
¥380,000
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Description
This is a Bizen-yaki katakuchi (spouted) sake cup by the great Toyo Kaneshige, the first Living National Treasure and the restorer of the Bizen pottery tradition. It bears the "Tsuchi'" (土') potter's mark, dating it to a period when he was gradually transitioning from creating hand-modeled pieces to wheel-thrown work. As a late-period "Tsuchi'" piece finished on the wheel, its large, bold form—generous enough to easily accommodate one's nose—is truly majestic and impactful. While the katakuchi design is charming, the finish is exquisitely meticulous, as one would expect from Toyo Kaneshige, showcasing the superb craftsmanship of a master, particularly in the sharp and swift execution of the foot. The piece features a sophisticated landscape of sangiri (oxidized/reduced firing) and koge-goma (scorched sesame ash glaze) characteristic of his later "Tsuchi'" period, with a particularly lovely interior where a strong, reduction-fired orange hidaski (fire cord) pattern contrasts against a gray surface.
Box identified by Kosuke (with sliding lid)
Diameter 8.4cm including spout × 7.5cm diameter × 6.6cm height Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Imbe, Bizen City) was born the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, a kiln master from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen pottery families.
He began his pottery career apprenticing under his father and rose to prominence for his handmade tea pots (hohin).
From the Taisho era through the early Showa era, he conducted extensive research into kiln packing, firing techniques, and traditional clay preparation, successfully recreating the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen in 1930. Around 1932, he began working with the potter's wheel and focused his efforts on creating tea ceremony ceramics.
He deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and after the war, he expanded his artistic scope through the influence of figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.
He breathed new life into Bizen pottery, which had been in decline since the Edo and Meiji periods, and for this achievement, he is known as the "Restorer of Bizen Pottery."
In 1954, he was recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1956, he became the first person to be named a holder of a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property for Bizen pottery, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as a summer lecturer at the University of Hawaii.
In 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration for the Emperor and Empress Showa during their visit to Bizen.
He passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors include the Chugoku Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Diameter 8.4cm including spout × 7.5cm diameter × 6.6cm height Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967, born in Imbe, Bizen City) was born the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, a kiln master from a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional Bizen pottery families.
He began his pottery career apprenticing under his father and rose to prominence for his handmade tea pots (hohin).
From the Taisho era through the early Showa era, he conducted extensive research into kiln packing, firing techniques, and traditional clay preparation, successfully recreating the clay texture of Momoyama-period Bizen in 1930. Around 1932, he began working with the potter's wheel and focused his efforts on creating tea ceremony ceramics.
He deepened his friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa, and after the war, he expanded his artistic scope through the influence of figures such as Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi.
He breathed new life into Bizen pottery, which had been in decline since the Edo and Meiji periods, and for this achievement, he is known as the "Restorer of Bizen Pottery."
In 1954, he was recognized as a holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property of Okayama Prefecture, and in 1956, he became the first person to be named a holder of a nationally designated Important Intangible Cultural Property for Bizen pottery, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as a summer lecturer at the University of Hawaii.
In 1967, he performed a pottery demonstration for the Emperor and Empress Showa during their visit to Bizen.
He passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors include the Chugoku Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
Details
- Pottery Type
- guinomi
- Dimensions
- W8.4cm × D7.5cm × H6.6cm
About the Artist
Toyo Kaneshige (1896–1967) was born in Imbe, Bizen City, as the eldest son of Baiyo Kaneshige, the head of a kiln belonging to a branch of the Kaneshige family, one of the six traditional kiln families of Bizen ware.
He began making pottery under the guidance of his father and gained recognition for his hand-built hohin teapots.
From the Taisho period through the early Showa period, Kaneshige devoted himself to researching kiln loading, firing methods, traditional clay preparation, and other aspects of Bizen ware. In 1930, he succeeded in recreating the distinctive clay character of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. From around 1932, he began producing works on the potter’s wheel and also devoted considerable effort to creating tea wares.
He formed close friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa. After World War II, he was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi, further broadening the scope of his artistic expression.
Kaneshige brought new vitality to Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo period through the Meiji era. In recognition of this achievement, he is often referred to as the “father of the revival of Bizen ware.”
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1956, he became the first Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as an instructor at the University of Hawaii Summer Session.
In 1967, when Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun visited Bizen, Kaneshige gave a pottery-making demonstration in their presence.
Toyo Kaneshige passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors include the Chugoku Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.
He began making pottery under the guidance of his father and gained recognition for his hand-built hohin teapots.
From the Taisho period through the early Showa period, Kaneshige devoted himself to researching kiln loading, firing methods, traditional clay preparation, and other aspects of Bizen ware. In 1930, he succeeded in recreating the distinctive clay character of Momoyama-period Bizen ware. From around 1932, he began producing works on the potter’s wheel and also devoted considerable effort to creating tea wares.
He formed close friendships with Handeishi Kawakita, Toyozo Arakawa, and Kyusetsu Miwa. After World War II, he was also influenced by Rosanjin Kitaoji and Isamu Noguchi, further broadening the scope of his artistic expression.
Kaneshige brought new vitality to Bizen ware, which had declined from the Edo period through the Meiji era. In recognition of this achievement, he is often referred to as the “father of the revival of Bizen ware.”
In 1954, he was designated a Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property by Okayama Prefecture. In 1956, he became the first Bizen ware artist to be designated a national Holder of an Important Intangible Cultural Property, commonly known as a Living National Treasure.
In 1964 and 1966, he was invited to serve as an instructor at the University of Hawaii Summer Session.
In 1967, when Emperor Showa and Empress Kojun visited Bizen, Kaneshige gave a pottery-making demonstration in their presence.
Toyo Kaneshige passed away in 1967.
Major awards and honors include the Chugoku Culture Award, the Sanyo Shimbun Award, the Okayama Prefecture Culture Award, the Medal with Purple Ribbon, and the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Rosette.